Kidero denies corruption allegations, seeks barring EACC raids

Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero has denied allegations that he acquired his property through corruption as indicated by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

Through his lawyers, Kidero who is seeking orders restraining EACC from conducting further raids at his home, claims his right to privacy has been infringed by the anti-graft commission.

Representing Kidero, Lawyer Tom Ojienda argued that the ongoing matter involved spouses and the EACC ignored the fact that Kidero’s wife was an independent party in the ongoing probe, hence should have been cautious during the raid.

“We have established sufficient ground to issue orders to release to the custody property illegally seized and restraining the EACC for further raiding,” argued Ojienda before the anti-corruption court on Monday.

However, EACC told the court that Kidero is already facing criminal charges and that the officers raided his premises looking for evidence .

Senior counsel James Orengo submitted that EACC officers during the raid seized a death certificate of Kidero’s late wife and other documents belonging to the late Tom Mboya, the father to Kidero’s wife.

Orengo submitted that his client acquired the property in question before he joined Mumias Sugar Company or became Nairobi governor.

Lawyer representing Kidero’s wife Susan Mboya submitted that the warrant issued to Kidero should not have been extended to his family members.

“Susan Mboya had her rights that cannot be taken away just because she is Kidero’s wife,” Ochieng’ Oduol submitted.

On September 20 this year, detectives from the EACC raided Kidero’s home in Muthaiga and later took him to his office on Riverside Drive in Westlands Nairobi, where they mounted a search for documents believed to link him to the corruption charges he is facing.

Former Nairobi Governor has since pleaded not guilty to three corruption-related charges leading to the loss of Ksh.213 million public funds.

Kidero denied a charge of conspiring to commit an offence of fraud and two counts of dealing with suspect property leading to loss of public funds.

He is accused alongside nine others for services not rendered on diverse dates between January 16, 2014 and January 2016.