Businessman Bruno Oguda Obodha, who was appointed Managing Director of East Africa Portland Cement Company (EAPCC), was on Monday arraigned at the Mavoko Law Courts to face six criminal charges, including forgery and fraud.
Obodha appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Derick Kuto to plead to charges involving the alleged forgery of official documents with intent to defraud.
The offenses are said to have occurred on various dates in 2024.
His appearance follows his arrest and detention over the weekend at Athi River Police Station, after a warrant was issued for failing to appear in court.
According to the prosecution, Obodha forged a membership certificate for Blue Make International Security Company Ltd., purporting it to be a valid document from the Protective Security Industry Association.
He is also charged with altering documents with intent to defraud, contrary to Section 375B of the Penal Code. This includes the alleged forgery of certificate No. 1360 on November 11, 2024, while serving at EAPCC.
Additionally, Obodha faces charges of creating a document without authority—specifically, fabricating license No. 2007534 to establish a radio communication station for Blue Make International Security Company Ltd.—in violation of Section 375A of the Penal Code.
Despite a plea for leniency by the defense, the magistrate emphasized the gravity of the charges and released the accused on a bond of Ksh.5 million with a surety of the same amount, or alternatively, a cash bail of Ksh.2 million, with one reliable contact person required.
The case is scheduled to proceed to trial on April 29, 2025, for further directions.
Obodha’s appointment as Managing Director of EAPCC by President William Ruto on December 20, 2024, has been contested by the company’s board.
On December 22, the board wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Industry, Trade, and Investment, raising concerns about Obodha’s integrity and possible conflicts of interest.
In a letter signed by Board Chairman Brig. (Rtd) Richard Mbithi, the board cited Circular Ref No. OP/CAB.9/1A dated April 20, 2022, from the Head of Public Service, which flagged Obodha’s business dealings with EAPCC and linked him to fraudulent activities.
In court filings, East Africa Portland Cement Company PLC argued that President Ruto, not being a member of its Board of Directors, lacked the authority to appoint or confirm appointments on behalf of the board.
This was in response to a case filed by lawyer Apollo Mboya, who has sued Board Chairman Brig. (Rtd.) Mbithi.
The company maintains that the Presidential press release dated December 20, 2024, erroneously named Bruno Oguda Obodha as Managing Director.
