The Director of Public Prosecutions suffered a blow on Tuesday after the court dismissed his application to amend the charge sheet in the KPLC graft case.
The DPP had made an application to amend the charges four years after they were first charged in court.
In the case, former KPLC managing directors Ken Tarus and Ben Chumo have been charged with several counts of fraud relating to loss of money at the company.
Chief magistrate Felix Kombo declined to allow amending of the charges, saying with 33 witnesses already testified; amending the charges would take the court back.
Kombo further said it was now four years since Chumo and his co-accused were arraigned in court and only few witnesses were remaining to give their evidence so it would not be practical to amend charges at this time.
The matter was adjourned to August 25 when the state counsel will update court the way forward as advised by the DPP.
Those charged with economic crimes alongside Chumo and Tarus include Beatrice Meso, K.P. Mungai, Joshua Mutua, Abubakar Swaleh, Samuel Ndirangu, Stanley Mutwiri, Benson Muriithi, Peter Mwicigi and John Ombui.
Also charged in the scandal are directors of Muwa trading company James Mungai, Grace Mungai and John Mungai.
The charges include conspiracy to commit an offence, aiding the commission of a felony, wilful failure to comply with procurement laws, conspiracy to defeat justice and fraudulent acquisition of public property.
It is alleged that the accused committed economic crimes by fraudulently procuring transformers worth more than Sh400 million.
(edited by Amol Awuor)
