Kenyan court drops $60m corruption case against deputy president

Beneath new President William Ruto’s authorities, prosecutors have withdrawn a number of instances towards a few of his allies.

A Kenyan court docket has allowed a request by public prosecutors to withdraw a 7.4 billion shillings ($60m) corruption case towards Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, citing inadequate proof.

Gachagua, a former lawmaker, was charged with corruption 9 different folks, final July. He has denied any wrongdoing.

“The appliance by Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is hereby granted,” Victor Wakumile, the anti-corruption Justice of the Peace stated in his ruling on Thursday. “The accused individuals are hereby warned and knowledgeable that they might be re-arrested sooner or later below the identical or comparable prices,” he added.

Earlier this month, DPP Noordin Haji had requested the court docket to permit the withdrawal of corruption prices towards Gachagua, citing a scarcity of proof.

Beneath new President William Ruto’s authorities, prosecutors have withdrawn a number of instances towards a few of his allies on the identical grounds.

In October, Haji utilized to withdraw corruption prices towards Aisha Jumwa, now a cupboard secretary, associated to the embezzlement of 19 million shillings ($155,700). The general public prosecutor additionally withdrew a case towards ex-Samburu County Governor Moses Lenolkulal, shortlisted for the place of principal secretary.

In a separate ruling in July, a Kenyan court docket ordered Gachagua to repay 202 million shillings ($1.65m), which it decided have been the proceeds of corruption.

On the time, Gachagua stated the decision was supposed to undermine his candidacy within the August 9 election on then-presidential candidate Ruto’s ticket.