Nabutola, Ong'ong'a out

The High Court has ordered the release of former Tourism Permanent Secretary Rebecca Nabutola and Kenya Tourism Board ex-MD Achie’ng Ong’onga who had been jailed for fraud on September, 2012. The two who had been behind bars since September 10, were released on a Sh500,000 cash bail or bond of Sh1 million pending the appeal of their four year jail sentence. Justice Msagha Mbogoli, who ordered the release, said the appeal has chances of success. The tourism officials had in September been charged in court over the irregular payment of Sh8.9 million to a tour company and abuse of office, which they denied and released on bail. Nabutola was sentenced to four years in prison and fined Sh1 million for abuse of office and failure to comply with procurement laws.