Suspects in the Sh226 million National Youth Service case have asked the court to restrain politicians from making public remarks about the trial.
Defence lawyer Assa Nyakundi made the request before chief magistrate Douglas Ogoti, saying the accused should be protected from outside pressure while the case is heard.
The application followed President Uhuru Kenyatta’s comments on November 16, 2018, when he said those behind the NYS theft should be punished and forced to return the stolen money.
“We will do everything in our power to ensure that the culpable pay the price and return the stolen resources.”
Uhuru made the remarks during a pass out parade for more than 16,400 NYS servicemen in Gilgil.
The case involves former Youth PS Lillian Omollo, former director general Richard Ndubai and 35 others, who have been charged over the loss of Sh226 million in NYS funds.
Nyakundi told the magistrate that public discussion of the matter amounted to sub judice and should stop while the trial is ongoing. He argued that the court, not politicians, was the proper forum for deciding the case.
The NYS scandal has remained a major national issue, with leaders repeatedly demanding accountability for the missing public money.
