Blow to Kidero as court rejects to postpone his Sh213 million graft case
Milimani Anti-corruption court has rejected to postpone Sh 213 million graft case facing former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero and ten others.
Kidero and some co-accused persons were charged for conspiring to commit fraud, which led to the loss of Sh213, 327,300 at the county government between January 16, 2014 and January 25, 2016.
Millimani Chief Magistrate Douglas Ogoti dismissed the application to have the case adjourned and directed the case to proceed today morning adding that court will adhere to strict Ministry of Health regulations and it will endeavor to get a spacious court which can allow mounting of a television screen.
“The application to adjourn the matter is therefore declined,” said Ogoti.
Ogoti said Kidero conspired to comit fraud alongside the former County Secretary Lilian Ndegwa, Chief Finance Officer Jimmy Mutuku Kiamba and Finance and Planning minister Gregory Mwakanongo.
Others charged are Head of Accounting Stephen Ogago Osiro, acting Chief Finance
Officer Luke Gatimu and Acting Head of Treasury Maurice Ochieng Okere.
He also asked the accused if they have been vaccinated against coronavirus.
Ndegwa through her lawyer Paul Ng’arwa had sought to have the matter pushed to another date saying that she is unwell after she tested positive for Covid.
The lawyer informed the court that her client’s doctors had advised her to wear the oxygen masks.
Lawyer John Mburu for former acting chief finance officer Luke Mugo Gatimu asked the court to adjourn the matter saying the case was fully packed and had violated the Health Ministry guidelines.
Kidero and the 10 others were also conspired to commit corruption, abuse of office, fraudulent acquisition of property, dealing with suspect property and unlawful failure to pay tax to a public agency.
Kidero is said to have received Sh24 million from Lodwar wholesalers.
According to prosecution, he got Sh14 nillion from the company on August 24, 2014 and Sh10 million on September 11,2014.
