Kidero, who has been in police custody since last week is facing charges of money laundering, abuse of office and unlawful acquisition of public property in a Sh68 million corruption scandal/CFM NEWS
NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 30 – Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero was Tuesday released on cash bail of Sh 8 million after spending six days in police custody.
Trail Magistrate Douglas Ogoti gave him an alternative bond of Sh 20 million and directed the ex-county chief to deposit his passport in court.
His co-accused former Mayor John Ndirangu was ordered to deposit a cash bail of Sh 5 million, while George Waina. Pual Mutunga, James Mbugua were given a cash bail of 4 million.
Ogoti directed the accused not to leave the country without the permission of the court and cautioned them against interfere with the prosecution witnesses.
The court fixed the pre- trial conference on May 17.
Kidero and 14 others were charged with the offence of conspiracy to defraud Nairobi City County and Council Sh 68 million.
The prosecution alleged that Kidero conspired with his co-accused to commit an offence of corruption by acquiring millions of shillings as kickbacks from deceased lawyer Steven Kariuki as part of the proceeds of crime.
“On January 8, 2014, you unlawfully acquired Sh14.4 million from Steven Kariuki while knowing it was public property. You also engaged in money laundering by acquiring a Toyota Lexus valued at Sh14 million while knowing the money was part of proceeds of crime,” read the charges.
Kidero was charged alongside former Nairobi Mayor John Ndirangu, George Wainaina, Paul Mutunga, Manasseh Karanja, Philomena Nzuki, Nganga Mungai, Charity Muringo, Peterson Njiru, Ekaya Alumasi, James Mbugua, Elizabeth Wanjiru, Alice Njeri, Hannah Muthoni and John Ngari.
State prosecutors Alexander Muteti and Victor Owiti had pressed for their detention without bail, arguing that the offences were committed against Kenyans who want to see corrupt officials locked behind bars.
Kidero through his team of lawyers led by Senator James Orengo, Professor Tom Ojienda and Nelson Havi pushed for his release on bail pending trial.
They told the court the offence the accused persons are facing are bailable by law and urged the court to consider releasing them on reasonable cash bail.
The former governor was arrested last Thursday and held at Ethics and Anti-Corruption, before he was taken to Kilimani police station where spent the weekend.
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