The trial of former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero and eight others was postponed after defense attorneys challenged the validity of the indictment. The case, which involves graft and abuse of office allegations, faced procedural hurdles when Kidero's lawyer, James Orengo, argued that one charge referenced an offense not recognized under Kenyan law.
Orengo asserted that the charge sheet failed to specify the alleged misconduct, undermining the legal basis for the prosecution. The former governor, along with seven senior officials from his administration, faces accusations of conspiring to embezzle Sh213,327,300 from county government funds between January 16, 2014, and January 25, 2016.
Chief Magistrate Douglas Ogoti ordered the defense to submit a formal application challenging the indictment, with a hearing scheduled for Thursday. The court also directed prosecutors to provide complete witness statements after missing pages were discovered in the case file.
