John Gakuo to remain in prison pending appeal hearing

Former Nairobi Town Clerk John Gakuo and three others suffered a major blow on Tuesday after the High Court declined their application to be released on bail pending the hearing and determination of their appeal.

Economic and Crimes Division Judge John Onyiego ruled that the appellants did not demonstrate that their appeal has high chances of success.

In addition, the judge said he was not convinced that Gakuo’s alleged ill health was a justifiable reason.

Mr. Gakuo, former Local Government PS Sammy Kirui and two others filed an appeal challenging their three-year sentence over their roles in the Ksh.283 million cemetery land scam.

They wanted the court to release them on bail pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.

The DPP, however, objected to their release saying the appeal before the court has no overwhelming chances of success, therefore, they should serve the sentence passed by the lower court.

They were jailed and fined Ksh.1 million for fraudulently purchasing the Mavoko cemetery land at an inflated price of Ksh. 283 million.