Kidero denies graft and abuse claims
Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero has come out strongly to defend himself against accusations of corruption and abuse of office.
In an affidavit filed in court on Friday, Dr Kidero maintained that he had never used his office to engage in corruption.
The Governor also maintained that he had never acted in a manner demeaning his office.
Dr Kidero also revisited his widely publicised altercation with Nairobi Women Representative Rachael Shebesh, citing their recent reconciliation as setting him free.
In a reconciliation agreement filed in court, both Kidero and Shebesh said they had resolved never to revisit the issue.
In the agreement, the two county leaders withdrew the complaints they had made against each other, their agents or witnesses at Parliament or Central Police Stations.
When the case in which Dr Kidero and Shebesh had been directed to make peace or face prosecution came up for mention on Friday, the Director of Public Prosecutions said he had notified the two leaders through a letter that they were at liberty to withdraw the complaints and the petitions lodged against each other.
Justice David Majanja fixed the case for mention next week when the two parties would confirm the settlement of the matter.
Replying to another affidavit in which a private citizen, Mr Benjamin Ndolo wants Dr Kidero declared unfit to hold public office, the Governor stated that he and Shebesh had voluntarily and unconditionally signed a reconciliation agreement committing to withdraw complaints that they had made against each other.
He described the petition by Mr Ndolo as unsubstantiated.
Responding to abuse of office charges, Dr Kidero said he had always used personal resources to pay lawyers in cases lodged against him in his personal capacity.
Corrupt acts
Mr Ndolo is seeking a declaration that Dr Kidero has used his position to engage in corruption.
“I have information to the effect that the first respondent (Mr Kidero) while in the office of Governor of Nairobi engaged himself in corrupt acts where the County Government lost millions of shillings,” he said.
The court directed the petitioner to file a supplementary affidavit within seven days and for both parties to file and exchange written submissions. The case will be mentioned on March 14.