Blow to Kidero as court rejects DPP bid to withdraw Ksh.58M graft case

Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero has suffered a setback after a Nairobi court declined an application by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to withdraw a Ksh.58 million graft case against him and 12 others.

Delivering the ruling on Tuesday, Milimani Anti-Corruption Court Magistrate Celesa Okore dismissed the application by the prosecution, saying it was not justified.

“Since it has been established by EACC lawyers and their sworn affidavits that there are witnesses available and ready to appear to testify...therefore it's my ruling that the application by DPP to prematurely close the case is misconceived,” ruled Magistrate Okore.

The case dates back to 2014, when Kidero and his co-accused were charged with allegedly conspiring to defraud Nairobi County of Ksh.58 million.

According to court documents, the accused persons are said to have committed the offences between January 6 and January 16, 2014.

They face multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption, abuse of office, unlawful acquisition of public property and money laundering.

All the accused persons denied the charges, with the court maintaining the cash bail terms earlier granted.