Former Nairobi governor Evans Kidero acquitted in Ksh.213 M graft case

"Count 1-17 all are acquitted under section 210,,count 18-35 accused person placed on their defense,"court ruled.

Kidero had been charged alongside several former senior county officials, including Lilian Wanjiru Ndegwa, Jimmy Mutuku Kiamba, and Gregory Mwakanongo, with multiple counts relating to abuse of office, dealing with suspect property, and conspiracy to commit a corruption-related offence.

According to the charge sheet, Kidero was accused of receiving Ksh 14 million on August 29, 2014, and another Ksh 10 million on September 11, 2014, from Lodwar Wholesalers Limited, while serving as Nairobi Governor. 

The prosecution alleged that he had reason to believe the money had been acquired through corrupt means.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) had accused Kidero and his co-accused of mismanaging county funds and benefiting from irregular payments during his tenure as governor.

The magistrates ruled that all the witnesses in the case testified in favour of Kidero and others.

Through lawyer Phillip Nyachoti, Kiambaa told the court that the prosecution's alleged loss of Ksh.213 million is merely speculation and that no money was lost.

The court was told that the prosecution witnesses approved the legitimacy of the various payments in the charge sheet.