Court gives directive to ascertain Finance minister David Mwiraria 's health

The court has directed that ailing former Finance minister David Mwiraria be tested by a government doctor to ascertain if he can be arraigned in court to face corruption charges related to Anglo Leasing saga.

The court requested for an independent report alongside that of his doctor Prof Peter Ndagwatha, which indicated that the minister is critically ill and therefore, not fit to be on the dock.

His lawyer Kioko Kilukumi, told Senior Resident Magistrate Lawrence Mugambi that the former powerful minister is battling with cancer in hospital.

"Mr Mwiraria is terminally ill. He has been having cancer for a long time and thus we are suggesting that we mention the case in a month's time to have a report from his doctors and those who will be appointed by the prosecution," Kilukumi said.

The former minister was to face charges together with 13 other individuals for their role in the multi-scam, but he never appeared on grounds that he was in hospital.

"I direct that the report should be filed two weeks from now and will be mentioned on July 20, when the case is coming up for hearing," the magistrate directed.

The former minister is faced with four counts of conspiracy to commit an economic crime and to defraud the government of Sh4.08 billion. Another count reads that he is accused of engaging in a project without prior planning.

He is also accused of allowing the financing of a project intended to upgrade police and other security systems dubbed 'E-Cops' valued at Sh6.08 billion.

The former minister resigned from the finance docket in 2006 after he was adversely cited in a report on graft by the then adviser to former President Mwai Kibaki on ethics and integrity John Githongo.