Nairobi– Former Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong walked free on Thursday after a Nairobi court acquitted him and members of his former executive in a corruption case involving Sh8 million.
Magistrate Eunice Nyutu, presiding at the Anti-Corruption Court, ruled that the prosecution had failed to present credible evidence to support the charges. She dismissed all eleven counts, which included claims of abuse of office and irregular procurement.
“None of the twenty prosecution witnesses could link the accused persons to any wrongdoing,” said Ms Nyutu in her ruling. “There was no evidence that any money went missing or that any personal benefit was gained.”
The case centred on a tender awarded for a visibility study on solid waste management in Busia County. The prosecution had alleged that the process was irregular and that funds were misappropriated. But the court found that the procurement followed proper procedure, and the study was not only conducted but a report was submitted.
The defence, led by advocates Ligunya Stephen, Samantha Nangala and Wangalwa Oundo, argued that the project had been lawfully budgeted for in the 2013–2014 financial year. They also submitted minutes from the County Assembly that supported the expenditure.
Magistrate Nyutu noted that it was up to the prosecution to prove its case beyond doubt. “It is not enough to raise suspicion,” she said. “The court needs facts, not assumptions.”
The ruling brings to a close a legal battle that began in 2018, when the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) flagged the waste management project and recommended charges. The high-profile case had been seen by some as a test of Kenya’s commitment to fighting corruption at the county level.
Following the acquittal, the court ordered that all bonds and securities posted by the accused be returned.
Speaking briefly outside the court, Ojaamong, who served as Busia governor for two terms, said he was “relieved but not surprised.” He insisted the charges had been politically motivated.
“I have always maintained my innocence,” he told reporters. “This was never about justice it was about settling scores. Today, the truth has prevailed.”
The EACC has not yet responded to the ruling. Legal experts say the judgment may force a reassessment of how corruption investigations are handled, especially at the devolved level.
For now, Ojaamong is a free man, but the case is likely to continue fueling debate about accountability, evidence, and the burden of proof in Kenya’s anti-corruption efforts.
