By John Mugendi
The move by a Nairobi High Court to order Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki’s Sh34 million corruption case to be transferred to a court in Embu County has elicited mixed reactions from the residents.
With a section of the residents embracing the move arguing that the county boss together with the other 20 co-accused will conveniently attend the court proceedings, other constituents are worried that the delivery of justice might be interfered with.
Early this week, Justice James Wakiaga ruled that the Governor should have been charged at a court in Tharaka Nithi County where the alleged crime took place but settled on the neighbouring Embu County for the fear of interference in case it’s heard in his county.
Njuki and the other 20 accomplices were earlier charged in Milimani Court on account of conspiring to defraud Sh34 million from the devolved government through an illegal tendering process for procurement of a solid waste incinerator.
In the case, the defense lawyers had challenged the decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions to charge the accused persons in Nairobi instead of Tharaka Nithi or Embu counties.
Justice Wakiaga directed that the file be placed before any Embu court magistrate other than Chief Magistrate Douglas Ogoti who was handling the case at Milimani.
Njuki was released on Sh6 million cash bail or Sh10 million bond after spending two nights in police custody.
With the co-accused persons, Mr Njuki was barred from accessing county offices until the corruption case is concluded unless in the company of Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) officers.
The others accused included; his wife, nephew Allan Gitonga, brother-in-law George Mugweru and other co-accused persons who pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Chief Environment officer Fridah Murungi, acting Procurement director Floridah Kiende, Finance officers Highton Murithi and Teresia Kagoji, Arch Lee Mwenda of Department of Roads, Mike Mwiandi, an accountant and procurement officers Japhet Mutugi and Emily Nkatha were charged with conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption.
They all jointly face counts relating to conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption, failure to comply with procurement laws, failure to pay taxes, abuse of office, money laundering and conflict of interest.
