By Sarah Omondi
The Anti-Corruption Court in Milimani, Nairobi has allowed an application by the Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji seeking time to review Sh7.4 billion corruption case against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and nine others.
Mr Gachagua is facing six charges of conspiracy to commit economic crime alongside Anne Nduta, Samuel Murimi, David Nguru, William Mwangi (former CDF manager), Irene Wambui, Lawrence Kimaru, Irene Wambui, Julianne Jahenda and Rapid Medical Supplies Ltd.
Other charges he is facing are money laundering, conflict of interest, fradulent acquisition of public property and acquisition of proceeds of crime.
The former Mathira MP is said to have received Sh7, 330, 011, 265 on diverse dates between 2013 and 2020 through three bank accounts registered under his name at Rafiki Micro-Finance Bank while knowing they were proceeds of crime.
Court documents indicate that Mr Gachagua reportedly defrauded the county government of Nyeri Sh27.4 million between May 2015 and December 2016 for supply of dialysis machines to Nyeri Provincial General Hospital.
Magistrate Victor Wakumile granted the prosecution three weeks to review the matter allowing request by the DPP to postpone hearing of the case that had been scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.
This was after the court was informed that Mr Gachagua has written to Office of DPP to have the court case reviewed. The second-in-command is said to have submitted new documents.
The matter will be heard on November 21 when DPP is expected to provide further directions which will guide whether the trial proceeds or not.
