Mwiraria takes plea from hospital bed over Anglo Leasing scam

Former Finance Minister David Mwiraria has denied seven counts of misappropriation of public funds during his tenure as a Cabinet Minister.

Mwiraria, who took the plea from his hospital bed at the Karen Hospital, was released on two personal bails of Ksh 1 million on each of the two files containing the charges.

The Anti-Corruption Court had on Friday directed Mwiraria to take plea on Anglo Leasing charges from his hospital bed on Monday.

This ruling was made after his lawyers told presiding Magistrate Felix Kombo that Mwiraria cannot stand trial as he is suffering from cancer.

The former minister faces four counts of conspiracy to commit an economic crime to defraud the government of Ksh 4.08 billion in a scam that cost the country a total of Ksh 10 billion.

A separate count accuses him of engaging in a project without prior planning.

In late November, the Anti-Corruption Court issued a warrant of arrest against Mwiraria after he failed to turn up to take plea over the Anglo Leasing scam.

This was the second time Mwiraria had failed to appear in court.

Mwiraria was initially set to appear before the court in March, but was excused after complaining of poor health.

Through his lawyer Abbas Esmail, Mwiraria told the court that he was unable to present himself in court as he had been admitted to hospital.