NAIROBI — A magistrate in Nairobi has ordered the prosecution to hand over all evidence it plans to use against Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya in an ongoing corruption case.
This follows an admission by the prosecution that it had failed to meet an earlier deadline set by the court.
“These documents and statements should already have been supplied,” the magistrate said during Monday’s proceedings. “I now direct the prosecution to comply with the previous orders.”
Governor Natembeya, who appeared in court on 20 May, is facing three serious charges: unlawful acquisition of public property, conflict of interest, and indirectly benefiting from public funds.
The case is being closely watched, with many Kenyans seeing it as a test of the country’s commitment to fighting corruption in high places.
Speaking in court, State Counsel Victor Awiti said the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) needed more time.
“Most of the documents are with the Trans Nzoia County government,” he told the court. “We’ve had trouble getting access to them. We are asking for two more weeks to comply.”
But the defence was quick to object.
“Why would they go to the county offices without letting us know?” the defence team questioned. “If they had informed us, our lawyers could have been present. Now they’re asking for more time? That’s not how justice is done. You don’t charge someone and then start looking for evidence.”
Calling the delay “an abuse of the court process,” the defence urged the magistrate to deny the request.
The court sided with the defence—giving the prosecution until 16 June to submit all relevant materials. The case will be mentioned again on that date.
Shortly after the court session, tensions rose outside the building. Plainclothes officers arrested three people believed to be employees of the Trans Nzoia County government. Their identities and reasons for arrest have not been officially disclosed.
As the legal battle unfolds, pressure is building on both the ODPP and the county administration to come clean.
Governor Natembeya, once a regional commissioner and known for his tough-talking style, has remained tight-lipped. His office declined to comment when reached on Tuesday morning.
