Kenya ex-sports official charged over CHAN graft

Former Kenyan sports official Peter Kaberia was charged in a Nairobi court on Tuesday over graft allegations linked to money allocated for Kenya's failed bid to host the 2018 African Nations Championship.

Kenya's Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said it had approved graft-related charges against Kaberia in connection with the alleged misappropriation of 330 million Kenyan shillings allocated for preparations to host the tournament.

The office said the charges include abuse of office, unlawful acquisition of public property and financial misconduct. Kaberia, who was the effective number two in the sports ministry from 2016 to 2018, denied the charges and was released on bail.

Nine other men, including ministry officials and businessmen, were also charged, according to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Kenya's Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission alleges Kaberia was involved in awarding a contract to a company to install stadium security, communications and lighting. The agency said in a statement to court that an advance payment of about 330 million shillings was made under a contract that was not procured appropriately.

The Confederation of African Football stripped Kenya of hosting the 2018 CHAN after an inspection found only one of four stadiums was ready. Morocco was awarded the competition and won it.