Eleven people, including former Permanent Secretary Sammy Kirui, are set to defend themselves in a corruption case involving the alleged irregular acquisition of cemetery land in Mavoko, Machakos County, valued at KSh283.2 million. The case has reached a critical stage after the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court determined that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence for the accused to respond to the allegations.
Highlights
- Eleven accused persons, including former PS Sammy Kirui, have been ordered to defend themselves.
- The case concerns cemetery land in Mavoko, Machakos County, valued at KSh283.2 million.
- The accused face allegations involving corruption, public property and procurement irregularities.
- The case is being heard at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court.
- The defence hearing is scheduled to begin on January 25, 2027.
Main Story
Court Directs 11 Accused Persons to Defend Themselves
Eleven individuals, among them former Permanent Secretary Sammy Kirui, will have to respond to allegations surrounding the acquisition of cemetery land worth KSh283.2 million in Mavoko, Machakos County.
According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Senior Principal Magistrate Celesa Okore made the determination at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court after finding that the prosecution had established a case requiring the accused to present their defence.
The decision marks a significant development in the long-running legal proceedings, moving the case into the defence stage.
However, the court’s decision does not amount to a finding of guilt. The accused will have an opportunity to challenge the prosecution’s evidence and present their side of the case.
Alleged Corruption and Public Property Offences
The proceedings centre on the alleged irregular acquisition of land intended for cemetery use in Mavoko.
The prosecution has outlined several suspected offences, including conspiracy to commit corruption, fraudulent acquisition of public property, fraudulent disposal of public property and irregular practices in procurement proceedings.
These allegations raise questions about the circumstances under which the multimillion-shilling property was acquired and whether the transactions complied with the laws governing public assets and procurement.
The court will hear the defence as the proceedings continue, with the prosecution expected to support its allegations through the evidence presented during the trial.
Former Permanent Secretary Among Those Accused
Kirui is among the 11 individuals facing the case over the disputed land transaction.
The ODPP confirmed that the prosecution has been handled over the years by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Christine Gakobo and Principal Prosecution Counsel Samita Mang’oli.
Their involvement reflects the extended period over which the case has been pursued through the judicial system.
The proceedings will now give the accused an opportunity to respond to the allegations and contest the evidence presented against them.
Defence Hearing Set for January 2027
The next major step in the case is scheduled for January 25, 2027, when the defence hearing is expected to begin.
The proceedings will provide an opportunity for the accused persons to present their responses to the charges and challenge the prosecution’s case.
The outcome will depend on the evidence and arguments presented before the court as it determines the matter in accordance with the law.
For now, the case remains a significant test of accountability in the management and acquisition of public property, particularly where transactions involve substantial sums of taxpayers’ money.
As the proceedings move forward, attention will remain on whether the allegations can be established through evidence and how the court ultimately resolves the dispute.
Public resources belong to the people, and every disputed transaction involving taxpayers’ money deserves scrutiny. As the case moves to the defence stage, will the evidence presented in court provide clear answers about the KSh283.2 million cemetery land deal?
