Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero has been acquitted in a Ksh 213 million corruption case that had dragged on for years. The ruling, delivered on Thursday, marks a major victory for the former county boss who had been facing multiple graft charges alongside several former Nairobi County officials.
According to the ruling, the court acquitted Kidero on counts 1 to 17 under Section 210 of the Criminal Procedure Code, citing insufficient evidence presented by the prosecution. However, the court ruled that counts 18 to 35 would proceed, and the accused persons were placed on their defense for those charges.
Kidero was charged alongside former senior county officials Lilian Wanjiru Ndegwa, Jimmy Mutuku Kiamba, and Gregory Mwakanongo. The charges included abuse of office, dealing with suspect property, and conspiracy to commit a corruption-related offence during his time as Nairobi Governor.
According to the charge sheet, Kidero was accused of receiving Ksh 14 million on August 29, 2014, and another Ksh 10 million on September 11, 2014, from Lodwar Wholesalers Limited while in office. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) alleged that he had reason to believe the funds were proceeds of corruption.
The prosecution claimed that the former governor and his co-accused mismanaged county funds and benefited from irregular payments amounting to millions of shillings.
The court’s decision now partially clears Kidero, who has consistently maintained his innocence since the charges were filed. His legal team expressed confidence that he will also be vindicated on the remaining counts once the defense hearing concludes.
The ruling adds to a growing list of corruption cases involving high-profile public figures in Kenya, many of which have faced challenges due to lack of sufficient evidence.
As the case proceeds to the defense stage, all eyes will remain on the court as Kidero seeks full acquittal on the remaining charges.
