CORRUPTION: Eacc blocked from investigating Kidero and wife’s bank accounts
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has been barred from investigating banks accounts of Nairobi governor Evans Kidero and his wife Susan Kidero.
The anti-corruption commission had initially obtained warrants allowing it to investigate seven bank accounts of the governor and his wife over allegations of corruption.
The governor and his wife are suspected to have fraudulently used their personal bank accounts to transfer millions of shillings of public funds.
High Court Judge Joseph Onguto on Tuesday suspended for 14 days search warrants that EACC investigators were given by a magistrate, allowing them to access the couple’s seven bank accounts.
SEARCH WARRANTS
“It is apparent that the EACC obtained the search warrants without disclosing some material facts and as such, I grant conservatory orders stopping them from inspecting the accounts, lifting the documents or investigating the telegraphic money transfers,” ruled Judge Onguto.
Among the accounts that EACC wanted to search are two US Dollar accounts at Commercial Bank and Standard Chartered Bank, and a Sterling Pound account belonging to Dr Kidero.
Others are his wife’s account at Commercial Bank and another one at Family Bank operated by the Evans Kidero Foundation.
Dr Kidero and Dr Mboya have denied the allegations and accused EACC of acting in bad faith to illegally obtain the search warrants.
NEVER SUMMONED
“No notice of any investigations over transfer of public funds has been issued to me or my family. They have never summoned me or any of my family members as required under the law which proves that they were acting in bad faith and malice,” said Dr Kidero.
The Governor said he was only aware of EACC’s investigations into allegations that he misappropriated funds from Mumias Sugar Company.
He was also not aware of a probe into a contract that the Nairobi City County signed with a Chinese firm for which he had been asked to record a statement.
STEAL FUNDS
Dr Mboya swore that her income comes from foreign sources, investments and employment and that she has no capacity to steal public funds.
“Sources of my income in my accounts are easily verifiable and supported with legal documents,” she said.
Justice Onguto directed that the couple serves the EACC and the Director of Public Prosecutions with the court order and the application, before the hearing on March 15.
