High Court Acquits Kidero In Ksh 213 Million Corruption Case
Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero is now free after the High Court in Nairobi acquitted him of the Ksh213 million corruption case.
This comes after the court determined that the prosecution failed to prove all 17 counts of corruption against him and nine other co-accused, citing insufficient evidence to back up the allegations.
Justice Victor Wakumile stated that the prosecution failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused allegedly paid two companies for products and services that were never provided.
Despite Kidero’s acquittal, the court determined that the former Nairobi County Head of Accounting had a case to answer after the prosecution provided sufficient evidence to need the ex-officer’s response.
Kidero, Nairobi’s first governor from 2013 to 2017, has been charged with corruption and economic crime.
Other charges include conspiracy to commit a crime of corruption, abuse of office, and fraudulent acquisition of government property.
He was charged alongside other former Nairobi County officials, such as the County Secretary, Chief Finance Officer, Finance and Planning Executive, acting Chief Finance Officer, and acting Head of Treasury.
The aforementioned persons were charged with allegedly conspiring to commit fraud, resulting in a loss of Ksh213,327,300 to the county government between January 16, 2014 and January 25, 2016.
During the hearing, the former county administrator questioned the legitimacy of several of the bank statements submitted in court by the prosecution.
Kidero contended, through his lawyers, that the bank statements given by the prosecution and investigating agents should only be presented in court by bank officials in order to preserve the chain of evidence.
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In 2024, the court authorized the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate the bank statements produced by the prosecution against Kidero and his co-accused.
Kidero filed an appeal, arguing that the court’s decision to allow EACC to investigate his case was unconstitutional and violated his fundamental rights and freedoms.
Nonetheless, the Appeal Court rejected Kidero’s claim, confirming the prior decision and reaffirming the EACC’s investigation jurisdiction.
High Court Acquits Kidero In Ksh 213 Million Corruption Case
