Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero Acquitted of Corruption Charges

Former Nairobi Governor Dr Evans Kidero and five former senior county officials have been acquitted of corruption charges involving the alleged misuse of Sh213 million during his tenure.

The Anti-Corruption Court ruled that the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence to establish a case against Dr Kidero, former county secretary Lilian Ndegwa, ex-chief finance officer Jimmy Mutuku Kiamba, former finance and planning executive Gregory Mwakanongo, acting chief finance officer Luke Mugo, and acting head of Treasury Maurice Ochieng Okere. 

The court applied section 210 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which allows for acquittal when no prima facie case is proven. The six had faced accusations of conspiracy to defraud, abuse of office, and fraudulent acquisition of public property in connection with financial transactions conducted between January 2014 and January 2016. 

Prosecutors alleged that Dr Kidero received Sh24 million from Lodwar Wholesalers Ltd in two payments, linking him to a wider scheme of financial misconduct. However, the court found that the evidence did not demonstrate any coordinated fraud or personal gain by the accused.

Dr Kidero argued that the prosecution failed to prove the existence of any agreement among the alleged conspirators. He noted that there was no evidence of when, where, or by whom such an agreement might have been made. Mr Kiamba also maintained that all questioned payments were properly authorised and carried out within legal procedures.

While the six officials have been cleared, three other individuals were directed to enter their defence. Businessman John Githua and Grace Njeri, associated with Lodwar Wholesalers Ltd and Ngurumani Traders Ltd respectively, are accused of receiving county funds without providing services. Former accounting head Stephen Ogago Osiro also faces charges of receiving substantial payments from the two traders.