Kidero acquitted in Sh213 million graft case

Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero was on Thursday acquitted in a Sh213 million corruption case.

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.

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

According to the charge sheet, Kidero was accused of receiving Sh14 million on August 29, 2014, and another Sh10 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 Sh213 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.