BY NT REPORTER.
It is a temporary reprieve for former Transport Cabinet Secretary.
Court of Appeal temporary stopped the criminal case against Engineer Michael Kamau who is facing corruption charges.
Mr Kamau moved to the court of appeal to challenge the corruption charges pressed against him.
The trial court was told that appellate court judges Milton Makhandia, William Ouko and Kathurima M’Minoti ruled that the proceedings that were to start at the anti corruption court be “stayed” until June 23 2017when they will make a ruling on Kamau’s appeal.
The former CS is facing charges of flouting procurement procedures relating to the management of public funds relating to a tender on the design of the Kamukuywa-Kaptama-Kapsokwony-Sirisia Road, which had been done by Engiconsult Consulting Engineers Limited at the cost of Sh33, 303,600.
“The proceedings before the chief magistrate’s court are hereby stayed pending the ruling in the application….” justice Ouko said.
Trial magistrate Lawrence Mogambi was told that Kamau moved to the court of appeal and temporary orders stopping the hearing of the criminal case was issued.
Trail magistrate Lawrence Mogambi said that the court will await the decision of the court of appeal. The matter will be mentioned on the 30th of June.
In his appeal, Kamau argues that EACC lacked the necessary quorum to recommend charges against him. In June 2015 Kamau was charged with abuse of office and failure to follow procurement rules.
Kamau moved to the appeal court after a similar application was dismissed by the high court.
The former CS pleaded not guilty and was released on a 1 million Shillings cash bail. It is alleged that, on March 15, 2008, he ignored Chapter 5 of the Government Financial Regulations and Procedures by ignoring the design of the Kamukuywa-Kapsokwony-Sirisia road, leading to a loss of 33,303,600 Shillings.
He was also accused of abusing his office and re-designing the road, which had earlier been done by EngiConsult Consulting Engineers Limited.
His co-accused, Nicholas Mburu Ng’anga, also denied the same charges and was released on similar terms, while the third accused, Kaka Matemu Kithyo, was released on a 600,000 shillings bail by Senior Principal Magistrate Lawrence Mogambi.
