Appearing before Milimani law courts trial magistrate Rose Ndombi, Odour admitted the traffic charges levelled against him.

According to the charge sheet on the 9th day of October 2025at about 1440hrs along oloitoktok road within Nairobi county, being the driver of a motor vehicle registration number KBN 546s make Toyota Prado dangerously overtook the flow other motor vehicles.

‎In mitigation, Oduor asked the court for leniency, saying he was rushing to the airport and did not intend to break the law.

He also stated that he has not committed that offence before or arraigned in court of law, saying he is a first-time offender.

The prosecution told the court that they were unable to get the video recorded by CNN International correspondent Larry Madowobut admitted to having watched the video.

The court was also told that odour was arrogant and apologetic in the clip.

The magistrate ina short ruling ordered Oduor to pay a fine of 100,000 or one year in prison.

“Having considered the mitigation by the accused person found and held that the section under which he has been charged attracts a fine of sh 100,000 or 1 year imprisonment.” Ruled the magistrate.

The post Court Fines Kibera MP Orero’s Driver KSh100,000 Over Reckless Overtaking appeared first on Insider Bits News.

The revelation came to light during a court session at the Kahawa Law Courts, where the main suspect, Edward Kamau Gituku, appeared to face charges related to illegal recruitment for foreign military service.

According to submissions made by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the 22 individuals were found in Athi River, Machakos County, under the supervision of Gituku, who is accused of luring them with promises of lucrative salaries and overseas deployment opportunities in Eastern Europe.

“Preliminary investigations show that the 22 were ex-military personnel who had previously served in the Kenya Defence Forces,” the prosecution told the court.

“They were allegedly being prepared for recruitment and deployment to participate in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.”

The ODPP noted that intelligence reports from security agencies had been shared with international partners as part of a joint investigation into possible transnational criminal networks facilitating the recruitment of African nationals into foreign conflicts.

Gituku was arrested last week following a multi-agency operation led by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Anti-Terror Police Unit (ATPU).

Officers stormed a private residence in Athi River where the 22 men were reportedly being briefed and processed for travel.

During the raid, detectives allegedly recovered military fatigues, travel documents, and electronic gadgets believed to contain communication logs with foreign contacts.

The prosecution said the items are being subjected to forensic examination.

While opposing bail, state counsel argued that Gituku posed a flight risk and that releasing him could jeopardize ongoing investigations, noting that law enforcement agencies are pursuing possible collaborators both locally and abroad.

However, Senior Principal Magistrate (SPM) at Kahawa Law Courts ruled that the accused be released on Kshs. 500,000 bail with one surety of similar amount, observing that the prosecution had not provided sufficient grounds to deny bail at this stage.

“The accused shall cooperate with the investigators and report to the DCI headquarters once every two weeks until the matter is concluded,” the magistrate ordered.

The case is set for mention on October 23, 2025, to allow the prosecution to file a complete report and update the court on the progress of investigations, including verification of the identities and status of the 22 rescued Kenyans.

The post 22 Kenyans Recruited for Russia-Ukraine War Were Ex-Soldiers, Court Told appeared first on Insider Bits News.

In a ruling delivered by Milimani Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina on Wednesday, September 3,2025 allowed the DPP’s request to drop the two charges against the two police officers of abuse of office and torture relating to the unlawful detention of businesswoman Ayni Hussein Mahammud.

The state prosecutor had urged to terminate the charges against former OCS Njeri and Ahmed citing for lack of sufficient evidence and double jeopardy.

Magistrate Onyina stated that, “prosecution in this case have expressed lack of confidence in their ability to discharge the burden based on the evidence in their possession.”

He noted that after the review of five files forwarded by different investigative agencies, the DPP formed an opinion that the evidence is insufficient to prove the charges against the accused.

While allowing the plea, that it will not be fair to refuse the application for withdrawal of the charge and go through the entire trial process when the prosecution has doubts on adequacy of evidence in their possession to prove the charges,

He added that Judicial discretion must be exercised judiciously, and in the current case, there is no ground for exercise of discretion in favour of denial of the application,

“Therefore, the prosecution is permitted to withdraw the charges against
each of the two accused persons herein, and each of the two accused persons is discharged in respect of each of the two counts under section 87(a) of the Criminal Procedure Code,” he ruled.

Muraya was charged alongside Seargent Abdisalam Ahmed from the same station with two counts of illegal detention and torture of a British national Ayni Hussein Mahammud.

After pleading to the charges , the two officers lodged a complaint to the ODPP in a letter dated 5/2/2025 where they also sought that the office review the
decision to charge them.

After the review of the two files, from International Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and Internal Affairs Unit (IAU),  the deputy DPP Jacinta Nyamosi, she noted that  charging the accused persons would amount to double jeopardy since they had already been subjected to disciplinary action.

This action was done by the Internal Affairs Unit in view of the earlier direction which was given on 4/4/2024, in the circumstances, her instructions were to apply for withdrawal of the matter under section 87(a) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

The post DPP Drops Torture Charges Against Former Eastleigh North OCS Rebecca Njeri and Her Junior Officer appeared first on Insider Bits News.

Prosecuting counsel Virginia Kariuki, appearing on behalf of the DPP, informed Milimani Principal Magistrate Paul Mutai on Tuesday that, following a comprehensive reassessment of the case file, the prosecution had resolved that the matter was better suited for determination in a civil court rather than through criminal proceedings.

“The instructions from the DPP are to apply for the withdrawal of this matter. Upon thorough review of the evidence and circumstances, we are convinced that the appropriate forum for resolving this dispute is a civil court where the complainants may pursue redress,” Kariuki told the court.

However, the defence team vehemently objected to the prosecution’s application.

In a firm response, the defence counsel argued that they were not ready to proceed with the withdrawal request and requested time to file a formal reply.

“We oppose the application by the DPP to withdraw this matter. This is a serious case with significant implications, and we request adequate time to file our submissions in response,” submitted the defence lawyer.

Magistrate Mutai, in his brief ruling, acknowledged both sides’ submissions and directed that the withdrawal application be put on hold until written submissions are filed and considered by the court.

“I have listened to the prosecution’s application and the defence’s opposition. I now direct both parties to file their respective written submissions. The court will not allow the withdrawal of the matter until the submissions have been properly filed and reviewed,” ruled Magistrate Mutai.

He further scheduled the matter for mention on September 30, 2025, to confirm compliance with the directive on submissions.

The case involves Shailesh Kumar Rai and his wife Ranjeeta Pandey Rai, directors of Rosalia Blooms Limited, alongside two employees, Isaac Ikua Kihara and Chris Oyunge.

The four had been arraigned before Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Martha Nanzushi in connection with allegations of theft, conspiracy to defraud, and forgery amounting to over Ksh 110 million.

According to the prosecution, the accused persons conspired to defraud Heritage Flowers Limited, where Rai and Ranjeeta previously held directorial positions.

They allegedly misappropriated Euros 368,416.71 (approximately Ksh 60,678,697) and USD 348,166.94 (approximately Ksh 49,578,972), funds belonging to Heritage Flowers Ltd.

The prosectution stated that between September 21, 2021, and August 2022, at Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) in Nairobi, the accused knowingly concealed the disposition of these funds, which the prosecution contends were proceeds of crime.

Further, the couple is facing charges of concealing an additional USD 88,495 (approximately Ksh 12,566,290) at DTB.

Multiple counts of forgery were also levelled against the accused.

Rai, Ranjeeta, and Kihara were charged with forging minutes of a management operations meeting dated September 17, 2021, purportedly held at Heritage Flowers Ltd.

They also allegedly forged a Commission Agreement within the company’s offices, and a Loan Agreement dated February 22, 2022, purportedly between Rosalia Bloom Ltd and Shailesh Kumar Rai.

The loan agreement named Rai as the borrower and his own company as the lender.

In addition, Rai was individually charged with forging minutes of a virtual board meeting of Rosalia Bloom Ltd, dated February 19, 2022.

A joint charge further alleges that all four, Rai, Ranjeeta, Ikua, and Oyunge, forged a Trust Deed between Rosalia Bloom Ltd and Heritage Flowers Ltd, dated September 26, 2021, falsely representing it as a legitimate legal document.

The final count in the charge sheet alleges that the five, including the corporate entity Rosalia Blooms Ltd, conspired to defraud Heritage Flowers Limited of the following amounts Ksh 10,520,919, Euros 368,416.71 (Ksh 60,678,697), USD 348,166.94 (Ksh 49,578,972)

All the accused were previously released on a cash bail of Ksh 2 million each pending the hearing and determination of the case.

The post DPP Seeks to Withdraw Ksh 110 Million Theft Case Against Flower Firm Directors appeared first on Insider Bits News.

Appearing before Milimani Magistrate Peter Mutai, Obure contended that the prosecution had failed to present compelling evidence through its five witnesses to establish a case against him.

His defense team argued that the state had not established a prima facie case to warrant his defense on charges of fraud and forgery.

Obure stated that investigators from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had not provided any documents to substantiate claims of forgery, as indicated in the charge sheet.

He further stated that the investigators did not consult with the bank to verify how the transactions were conducted.

Obure presented several documents to the court, including letters of agreement from the sellers, who are primarily of Asian origin, demonstrating the legitimate purchase of the property.

The charges against Obure include conspiracy to commit a felony, forgery, and uttering a forged document.

The prosecution alleges that between June 12, 2017, and October 9, 2023, Obure, along with accomplices not present in court, conspired to forge a Binding Board Resolution from AC and Others Company Limited.

During this period, he is accused of forging a Binding Board Resolution purporting it to have been signed and stamped by Chandul Shah, a director of AC and Others Ltd.

Additionally, on February 10, 2024, at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Headquarters in Nairobi, Obure allegedly uttered a forged Binding Board Resolution, falsely purporting it to have been signed and stamped by Chandul Shah.

Obure is also charged with giving false information to police officer Geoffrey Ndatho at the DCI headquarters, falsely claiming that the resolution confirmed an agreement for the sale of Senteu Plaza, a prime property located at LR No. 1/1373, which was later determined to be a fraudulent transaction.

Obure has denied all the charges in court. His defense lawyer, Patrick Lumumba, requested a lenient bond, emphasizing that bond is a constitutional right designed to ensure the accused’s appearance in court.

Obure is currently out on a bond of Ksh 500,000 with a surety of a similar amount or an alternative cash bail of Ksh 200,000.

In addition to the fraud charges, Obure is currently facing murder charges in the High Court over the alleged death of city car dealer Kelvin Omwenga.

He was charged following his arrest on August 21, 2020, after Omwenga was murdered in his house at Galana Suites in Kilimani, Nairobi.

The post Chris Obure Seeks Acquittal in Senteu Plaza Fraud Case appeared first on Insider Bits News.

Appearing before Senior Principal Magistrate , Governor Barchok and Evans Kipng’eno Korir a director of Chemasus Construction Limited, pleaded not guilty to all charges brought against him by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).

According to the charge sheet, the governor is accused of receiving Sh2 million from a private contractor as a kickback linked to fraudulent procurement deals.

The funds, investigators allege, were disguised through intermediaries and used to facilitate the acquisition of property in Barchok’s name, an act said to violate provisions of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act (ACECA).

The charges include conflict of interest, unlawful acquisition of public property, and handling proceeds of crime, all allegedly committed while Barchok was in office as the county’s chief executive.

Through his legal team led by senior counsel Issa Mansur, Governor Barchok urged the court to consider releasing him on a free bond, insisting that he is a law-abiding citizen willing to fully cooperate with the court.

“My client is ready to abide by all court directives. He has no intention of interfering with witnesses or obstructing the judicial process in any way,” Mansur told the court, further arguing that the charges were “not unusual” for individuals in political office and did not warrant custodial conditions.

The prosecution, led by Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Vincent Monda, did not oppose the release of Governor Barchok and his co-accused on bail.

However, he asked the court to impose strict conditions given the nature and seriousness of the charges.

Monda submitted that, upon release: “They should not leave the jurisdiction of the court without the permission of the Trial Court.”

He also asked the court to bar the accused persons from contacting or interfering with prosecution witnesses, either directly or through their proxies:

“Upon service of the evidentiary material by the prosecution, they should not contact or interfere in any way, either by themselves or through their proxies, with the prosecution witnesses.”

Furthermore, Monda requested that:“If any of the accused persons hold a passport, the same should be deposited in court, and they must seek the court’s permission should they wish to travel outside the country.”

He concluded by asking the court to caution the accused against making any public or indirect comments that could compromise the integrity of the case:

“They should not make any comments, either by themselves or through their proxies, in order to preserve the integrity of this case.”

The bail hearing is currently ongoing.

The post Bomet Governor Barchok Denies Graft Charges Over Sh2M Bribe appeared first on Insider Bits News.

Wangamati and his co-accused, who spent the night at Kilimani Police Station, appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Zipporah Gichana and pleaded not guilty to a range of charges, including conflict of interest, use of proceeds of crime, acquisition of proceeds of crime, willful failure to comply with procurement laws, and engaging in fraudulent practices during public procurement processes.

The former county boss was charged alongside several members of his family, including his siblings Edward Wangamati, George Wangamati, and Emmanuel Wangamati.

In total, eight of the 15 accused persons are said to be relatives of the former county chief.

Other co-accused persons in the case include Alex Odanga, Edward Maaya, Jumah Swaleh, Wafula Wakoli, Wisdom Baraka, Rita Mwaka, Sandra Soita, Christopher Makhokha, Jimmy Wekesa and Silvan Wanyonyi

One of the suspects, Bramwel Wafula, appeared in court in a wheelchair.

The prosecution alleges that during Wangamati’s tenure as Bungoma Governor, the accused persons conspired to siphon county funds through fraudulent procurement practices and conflict-ridden transactions involving companies linked to their relatives and associates.

The monies, totaling over KSh 70.2 million, were allegedly wired to private accounts under the guise of payments for services that were either inflated or never delivered.

According to the charge sheet, Wangamati specifically faces three counts of conflict of interest contrary to Section 42(3) as read with Sections 38 and 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act.

The former Bungoma County boss denies allegations that he received a total of Sh24 million in bribes from fraudulent procurement deals

He is accused of presiding over the award of county contracts to companies associated with his close family members, a direct violation of procurement and public ethics laws.

“Between May 20, 2020, and June 12, 2021, while serving as Governor of Bungoma County, Wycliffe Wafula Wangamati knowingly acquired an indirect private interest amounting to Ksh 10,500,000 through Nabwala Construction Limited, a company directed by his siblings. This amount was paid from Valeria Construction Limited, linked to payments made by the County Government of Bungoma for multiple road maintenance tenders,” the charge sheet alleges.

In the second count, the DPP accused Wycliffe Wafula Wangamati of engaging in a conflict of interest by channeling county funds to a company linked to his siblings.

“Between July 9, 2020, and September 27, 2021, while serving as Governor of Bungoma County, Wycliffe Wafula Wangamati knowingly acquired an indirect private interest amounting to Ksh 5,430,000 through Nabwala Construction Limited, a company whose directors are his siblings,  from funds paid by the county to Mundesi Contractors Limited in connection with road maintenance tenders,” the DPP told the court, citing conflict of interest contrary to Section 42(3) as read with Section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic.

In the third count, the court was told that former Governor Wangamati benefited from a conflict of interest involving KSh 9.35 million paid to a company associated with his siblings.

“Between May 12, 2020, and June 12, 2021, while serving as Governor of Bungoma County, Wangamati knowingly acquired an indirect private interest amounting to Ksh 9,350,000 through Nabwala Construction Limited, a company whose directors are his siblings, from payments made by the County Government of Bungoma to Kelco Builders Limited in connection with road maintenance tenders,” the court heard, citing conflict of interest contrary to Section 42(3) as read with Section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, Cap 65.

Edward Maaya Makhan and Nabweso Builders Limited denied allegations of engaging in fraudulent procurement practices by submitting falsified documents in support of a road maintenance tender in Bungoma County.

“Between October 9, 2020, and January 14, 2021, in Bungoma County, Nabweso Builders Limited and its director, Edward Maaya Makhan, engaged in a fraudulent practice in procurement by submitting false documents, including a letter dated January 6, 2019, and falsified local service and purchase orders,  in support of their bid for Tender No. BGM/CNT//RPW/CEF/OT/016/2020-2021 for the periodic maintenance of roads in Kimilili Ward,” the prosecution stated, citing an offence contrary to Section 66(1) as read with Section 177 of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015.

Wakoli Wafula Chesititi and Valeria Construction Limited were accused of engaging in fraudulent procurement by submitting falsified certificates to support their bid for a Bungoma County road maintenance tender.

“Between January 5, 2019, and May 15, 2019, in Bungoma County, Valeria Construction Limited and its director, Wakoli Wafula Chesititi, engaged in a fraudulent practice in procurement by submitting false documents,  including a Kenya Wildlife Service Defect Liability Certificate and forged completion certificates from the County Governments of Kwale and Uasin Gishu — in support of their bid for Tender No. BGM/CNTY/RPW/OT/CPF/249/2018-2019 for periodic maintenance of roads in East Sangalo Ward,” the prosecution stated, citing Section 66(1) as read with Section 177 of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015.

Wangamati and his co-accused denied all the charges and urged the court to consider reasonable bail terms.

His lawyers told the court that eight of the co-accused are directly related to him, including his niece and nephew, and maintained that none of them pose a flight risk.

They also emphasized their clients’ right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The defense further argued that the charges were politically motivated and meant to tarnish the former governor’s reputation and derail his future political ambitions.

The prosecution led by Welsey Nyamache opposed lenient bail terms, citing the gravity of the charges, the amount of public funds involved, and the likelihood of interference with witnesses, some of whom are said to be junior county officials who served under Wangamati’s administration.

The bail hearing is currently ongoing at Milimani Law courts

The post Ex-Bungoma Governor Wangamati Denies Sh24M Bribe Allegations in Court appeared first on Insider Bits News.

This comes despite earlier court testimony in which Okapesi confidently stated he knew the suspect in question.

Appearing before Milimani Principal Magistrate Geoffrey Onsarigo on Monday, September 1,2025, Corporal Okapesi was presented with photographic evidence by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), which allegedly captured the prime suspect, Corporal Isaiah Murangiri Ndumba, in civilian clothes during the protests that gripped the capital last year.

But when confronted with the images, Okapesi hesitated.

“Both Isaiah Murangiri and Benson Kamau are light-skinned. I can only identify them if they are produced physically,” he told the court, suggesting the person in the photos may resemble another officer, Benson Kamau, rather than Murangiri.

The statement marked a dramatic departure from his earlier position, where he had told the court he could identify Corporal Murangiri by face.

Photos, Denials, and a Struggle to Confirm Identity

The photographs in question, submitted by IPOA, were taken on June 18 and June 20, 2024, days during which large-scale protests erupted in Nairobi over the now-shelved Finance Bill.

One of the images showed a man in a blue shirt, black cap, and blue trousers, holding a walkie-talkie—an outfit that IPOA claims matches Murangiri.

However, Okapesi refused to confirm the identity, casting further uncertainty over the prosecution’s case.

“I’m not the one in those photos. On June 18, 2024, I had taken leave to attend to my sick child,” Murangiri later told the court after being recalled for comparison.

He also denied wearing any of the clothing described or carrying a police radio that day, dismissing even the most distinct features, among them a Kenyan-themed wristband and a unique birthmark.

Wristbands, Birthmarks, and Witness Testimony

Law Society of Kenya (LSK) counsel David Mwangi zeroed in on visual identifiers.

He highlighted a birthmark beneath the left ear of the man in the photographs, an attribute that appeared to match Murangiri.

Murangiri, however, denied having such a mark, prompting Mwangi to suggest he “check in a mirror at home.”

Another crucial detail was a Kenyan flag wristband and another bearing the name “Izoo” reportedly worn by the individual in both photo sets. Yet again, Murangiri denied ownership or ever wearing them.

Virtual Testimony from Protected Witness

Key testimony came from a protected witness known as “GG,” a journalist who had captured the crucial images during the protests.

Testifying virtually on July 29, GG described the suspect in minute detail.

“On June 20, he wore a black cap, dark grey short-sleeved shirt, blue jeans, black mask, white sneakers, and carried a walkie-talkie,” she said.

“On June 18, he wore a black cap, light blue shirt, grey trousers, and black shoes. He was photographed outside the Supreme Court, where arrested protesters were being held.”

GG told the court she had provided IPOA with both still images and video clips showing the same man on both dates.

She further stated that she had developed the ability to identify plainclothes officers at protests due to frequent coverage of police operations.

Rex Masai was fatally shot on June 20, 2024, near Moi Avenue during the second week of nationwide youth-led demonstrations.

The hearing of the inquest continues

The post Police Armoury Boss Fails to Identify Key Suspect in Rex Masai Killing case appeared first on Insider Bits News.

In a ruling delivered by Justice Bahati Mwamuye, the court refused to grant interim orders that would have barred the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) from proceeding with investigations and possible charges against the governor.

Instead, the judge directed that the respondents, including the EACC and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), be formally served with court papers.

The matter is scheduled for mention on September 7 to confirm compliance and allow for responses.

Governor Barchok had filed an urgent application, seeking the court’s intervention to halt what he described as an unlawful attempt to arrest and arraign him.

Through his legal team, the governor argued that the corruption allegations were without merit and crafted to malign his reputation.

Central to the case is a payment made to Barchok by Chemasus Construction Limited, which the EACC believes may constitute a conflict of interest.

The anti-graft body is investigating whether the transaction had links to contracts awarded by the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) and the Bomet County Government.

Barchok, however, has maintained that the payment in question was tied to a private lease agreement unrelated to any public procurement dealings.

“There was no conflict of interest. A simple verification would have made that clear,” Barchok told the court, insisting the matter was being politicized.

The High Court’s decision came shortly after the EACC issued summons to both Governor Barchok and former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati.

The two are under investigation alongside several company directors and associates alleged to be linked to procurement irregularities.

The ODPP has reportedly given clearance for the prosecution of the implicated parties once investigations are complete.

Governor Barchok, along with Evans Kipkoech Korir, a director of Chemasus Construction, is at the center of inquiries focusing on alleged irregular financial dealings within the Bomet County administration.

The post Court Rejects Barchok’s Bid to Halt Arrest and Prosecution in Graft Case appeared first on Insider Bits News.