Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok Arraigned on Corruption and Money Laundering

Bomet County Governor Hillary Kipng’eno Barchok was on Tuesday arraigned before the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court to face multiple corruption-related charges, including conflict of interest, acquisition of proceeds of crime, and money laundering.

The Governor surrendered late Monday at the Integrity Centre, EACC’s Headquarters in Nairobi. This followed a summons by the Commission, which required them to appear for processing and arraignment following investigations into the embezzlement of public funds.

Appearing alongside his co-accused, Evans Kipkoech Korir, the Governor was formally charged before Chief Magistrate Zipporah Gichana. The charges stem from a series of transactions involving the award of tenders to Chemasus Construction Limited by the Bomet County Government.

Governor Barchok faced seven counts in total. In the first charge, the prosecution alleged that between November 14, 2020, and March 10, 2021, he knowingly acquired an indirect private interest worth Kes2 million in tenders awarded to Chemasus Construction for the routine maintenance of the Kimenderit–Kotoibek–Olbutyo Bridge road and the hire of a grader.

The second count accused Barchok of acquiring proceeds of crime. It is alleged that on March 10, 2021, he irregularly received Kes2 million from Chemasus Construction Limited, a payment said to be linked to the award of the aforementioned tenders.

Further charges involved suspicious financial transactions conducted through the Governor’s personal Equity Bank accounts. Prosecutors claim that the funds—believed to be proceeds of crime—were later transferred to third-party accounts in an apparent attempt to obscure their origin.

In the seventh and final count, Governor Barchok, Evans Kipkoech Korir, and his company, Chemasus Construction Limited, were jointly charged with money laundering. The prosecution alleges the accused parties knowingly engaged in the transfer of Kes2 million to conceal the source of the funds.

All accused persons denied the charges. The Court granted Governor Barchok a bond of Kes15 million or a cash bail of Kes5 million. His co-accused, including Korir and Chemasus Construction Limited, were each granted bond terms of Kes5 million or a cash bail of Kes2 million.

While the prosecution did not oppose bail, it urged the Court to impose strict conditions to ensure the integrity of the judicial process is maintained.

The case is scheduled for mention on September 17, 2025, when the Court is expected to issue further directions.