BY IRENE ONYANGO.
Former Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury Henry Rotich has been acquitted of corruption charges related to the Sh 63 billion Arror and Kimwarer dams scandal.
Anti-graft Court Chief Magistrate Eunice Nyutu acquitted Rotich and eight others stating that the prosecution failed to present adequate evidence to warrant the accused be placed on their defence.
The trial magistrate noted that despite an intense introduction to the proceedings, the prosecution abandoned its case midway.
The court noted that the prosecution called a total of 49 but only 8 out of them were led to give their evidence.
“The Prosecution Counsel in the genesis of this proceedings had called a total of 49 witnesses to prove that the accused not only conspired to defraud Sh 63billion but more and after calling 8 witnesses, they relented and declined to examine the other 41 saying that they had no questions, ” said Nyutu.
Rotich was charged in July 2019 together with Former Chief Economist Keneddy Nyakundi, Former Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA) boss David Kimosop,Jackson Kinyanjui among others.
The charges included Conspiracy to defraud the government Sh63 billion by unlawfully initiating a construction, financing, and insurance agreements for the development of Arror and Kimwarer multipurpose dam projects.
While acquitting them, the court said there was no evidence that any of the accused persons held meetings or conspired to defraud the government.
The court also warned the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution from bringing cases to courts without any valid and adequate evidence later leading to acquittal or withdrawal of the same.
Nyutu said that the ODPP should check their conduct of commencing cases that they’re not sure of seeing through to the end.
Rotich upon interview, expressed his gratitude to the Anti Corruption Courts that the case that has been going on for years finally came to an end.
“I’m glad this finally came to an end. No amount of lies,Poison and evil shall survive, so i think the devil has been ashamed and he’ll remain permanently ashamed for those who scheme this evil work……,”Said Rotich.
