Corruption case against Michael Kamau goes to full trial

A corruption case against suspended Transport Cabinet Secretary Michael Kamau will proceed to full trial, Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Lawrence Mugambi has ordered.

This was after defence lawyers Cecil Miller and Paul Njuguna urged the court to suspend the trial awaiting the outcome of a petition that is pending at the High Court.

"It could be prudent to adjourn this matter to await the outcome of the petition before the High Court and we therefore urge this court to vacate the hearing to avoid multiple petitions," Mr Miller said.

But in his brief ruling, Mr Mugambi said:

"This court gave directions that if there was an order issued from the upper court stopping the trial then this court will obey the same. I direct the matter to proceed to full trial without any further delay."

Miller said the defence was ready to proceed but in view of the application pending before the High Court, he asked for more time to ventilate on the matter.

Documentary evidence

However, Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Alloys Kemo, opposed the defence's request on grounds that it was not proper to speculate on the outcome of a petition in the High Court.

"A case of this nature takes time to prepare for the trial and I therefore urge the court to dismiss the application and the matter to proceed as scheduled," Mr Kemo said.

Kemo said that two witnesses were in court and the prosecution was ready to expedite the hearing of the case without any further delay.

Last Thursday, the High Court declined to stop the proceedings before the magistrate's court and directed Mr Kamau to appear before the magistrate.

However, the magistrate was forced to adjourn the case after the defence claimed that they have not been supplied with all the documentary evidence to prepare for trial.

The case will be mentioned on November 5.