This archive report was first published on 23 July 2019.
On Tuesday, the multibillion-shilling Kimwarer and Arror dams scandal took a new turn as defence lawyers for the suspects pleaded with the court to release them on bail.
Lawyers Kioko Kilukumi and Kipchumba Murkomen asked Milimani Chief Magistrate Douglas Ogoti to allow them to address the court on behalf of the defence advocates.
Mr Kilukumi argued that the accused are innocent persons under the law, who seek to be released under reasonable terms unless there is compelling reason to deny them bail.
He noted that Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich had fully cooperated with the investigators, visiting the Directorate of Criminal Investigations offices on seven different occasions and spending up to 40 hours with the detectives.
"He has done everything that a suspect can do to help the investigators," Mr Kilukumi added.
Mr Kilukumi also stated that Treasury Principal Secretary Kamau Thugge was surprised to be arrested, as he had not been notified that he was being investigated.
Dr Thugge's counterpart, Ms Susan Koech, East Africa Community PS, was on her way to the airport when she received news of her arrest, and subsequently cancelled her trip to South Africa.
"They have each and every attention to attend the trial to conclusion," Mr Kilukumi said.
