The Director of Public Prosecution has filed an application seeking to consolidate two corruption file cases involving ex-Treasury CS Henry Rotich.
In both cases, the modifications aim to lower the number of accused people from 18 to 9 and the number of counts from 40 to 30.
In addition, if the revisions are adopted, the number of witnesses will be cut from 104 to 52, speeding up the resolution of the two high-profile cases.
The consolidation, according to the DPP, will save valuable judicial time and other limited resources.
Rotich, Kimosop, and the Italian corporation implicated in the multi-billion-shilling dams fiasco are currently the subject of three court cases.
Former CS Rotich, Kennedy Nyakundi Nyachiro, Jackson Njau Kinyanjui, David Kipchumba Kimosop, William Kipkemboi Maina, Paul Kipkoech Serem, Francis Chepkonga Kipkech, Titus Muriithi, and Geoffrey Mwangi Wahungu are among the new nine accused in the case, according to the new charge sheet filed in court.
The nine are accused of conspiring to cheat Kenya’s government out of Ksh55.6 billion by fraudulently initiating contracts, funding, and insurance agreements for the construction of the Arror and Kimwarer multi-purpose dams.
They are now facing 29 new allegations, including engaging in a project without previous planning, willfully disobeying procurement laws, and abuse of office.
The accused opposed the application and was given three days to file their submissions.
The matter has been scheduled for mention on October 26.
*This article was written by Meshack Makau for Uzalendo News. Email: uzalendonews24@gmail.com to submit your story.
