Former Cabinet Minister Amos Kimunya yesterday appeared in court to answer charges of abuse of office. The formerly powerful politician looked composed, pleaded not guilty and was released on Sh1 million bail. He becomes the first minister from the Kibaki regime to be prosecuted for abuse of office.
Kimunya was arrested on Friday after Director of Public Prosecution Keriako Tobiko said he was satisfied that there was enough evidence. Kimunya and two others are accused of fraudulently disposing of a public property worth over Sh60 million.
The former Lands Minister was jointly charged with Lilian Wangira Njenga, currently a Director of Land Adjudication and Settlement, and Jughae Wainaina, chairman of Midlands Ltd, a company associated with the former minister.
The three appeared before acting chief magistrate Doreen Mulekyo and denied seven counts of abuse of office, failing to disclose a private interest to one's principal, and fraudulent disposal of public property.
In June 2005, Kimunya and Njenga allegedly used their offices to allocate to Midlands 25 acres of public land known as Nyandarua/Njabini/5852 valued at Sh60 million. Kimunya, a former Kipipiri MP, is accused of failing to disclose that he was a director of Midland. He is further accused of breach of trust and failing to protect public property.
Njenga is accused of breach of trust by disposing of public property while Wainaina is accused of fraudulently acquiring public property registered in the name of Settlement Fund Trustee.
They were each ordered to be released on cash bail of Sh1 million, or bond of Sh2 million with a similar surety, pending the hearing of the case on July 8 and 9.
Two senior state counsels Lilian Obuo and Daniel Karuri led the prosecution of behalf of DPP and did not oppose bail application by defence.