This archive report was first published on 3 May 2021.
On 6th May 2021, a Nairobi anti-corruption court witnessed a dramatic scene as an accused person in the Sh4.1 billion Lake Basin graft case appeared in virtual court while half naked.
The accused, Fredrick Onyango Chere, was appearing in a pre-trial session alongside former Kisumu county speaker Onyango Oloo and others before Chief Magistrate Douglas Ogoti.
Professor Tom Ojienda, representing the accused, requested the magistrate to compel Chere to dress properly, citing court ethics that demand a certain dressing code for accused persons.
Magistrate Ogoti then ordered Chere to log out of the virtual session and dress properly before rejoining the court.
The case involves graft charges worth Ksh.4.1 billion, with the accused persons facing charges of engaging in a project without prior planning, willful failure to comply with the law relating to procurement, and abuse of office among other charges.
Former Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) Managing Director Peter Anguko Abuok and Bobasi Member of Parliament Innocent Obiri Momanyi were each released on Ksh.10 million cash bail, while Oloo was freed on a cash bail of Ksh.6 million and a warrant of arrest against him lifted.
