By Andrew Kariuki

Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero has suffered a setback after a Nairobi court rejected an attempt by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to withdraw a Ksh.58 million corruption case against him and 12 others.

In a ruling delivered at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court, Magistrate Celesa Okore dismissed the prosecution’s application, finding it lacked sufficient justification.

“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,” the magistrate ruled.

The decision means the case will now proceed to full hearing.

The matter dates back to 2014, when Kidero and his co-accused were charged over the alleged loss of Ksh.58 million from Nairobi County.

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

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

The prosecution alleges that the funds were irregularly processed as payment to a law firm.

All the accused persons have denied the charges, with the court maintaining the cash bail terms previously granted as the case proceeds to trial.