A man has been charged with extorting Sh240 million from Kakamega Governor Fernandes Odinga Barasa.

William Simiyu Matere alias Elijah, who was arraigned before Kibera Senior Principal Magistrate Ann Mwangi, denied two counts of conspiracy to commit an offence contrary to section 393 of the Penal Code and demanding property by threat contrary to section 302 of the Penal Code.

The charges against Matere were that on various dates between December 2023 and 18 March 2024, at an unknown place in the Republic of Kenya, he conspired with other persons not before the court to commit a crime.

The charge sheet stated that the alleged offence involved the demand and extortion, through threats, of a sum totalling Sh240,000,000 from Mr Barasa.

However, the charge sheet did not provide further details regarding the reasons behind Matere’s demand for money from the county boss.

Another charge against Matere was that, while in the company of individuals not present in court, he employed threats to extort a total sum of Sh240 million from Mr Barasa.

The accused applied for bail on the grounds that he was not a flight risk.

The prosecution did not oppose his release on bail but asked the magistrate to take judicial notice of the amount involved.

The magistrate released the accused on bail in the sum of KSh2 million with a surety in the same sum.

The accused was arrested on 19 March 2024 and produced in court on 20 March 2024 at Kilimani Police Station.

The prosecution has indicated that it will call four witnesses and others may be added.

The case will be listed for further instructions on 27 March this year.