Court of Appeal Halts Michael Kamau Corruption Trial

Former Transport Cabinet Secretary Engineer Michael Kamau has secured a temporary reprieve after the Court of Appeal halted his corruption trial, stopping proceedings at the Anti-Corruption Court until his appeal is determined.

A three-judge appellate bench comprising Justices Milton Makhandia, William Ouko and Kathurima M’Minoti issued orders staying the trial until June 23, 2017, when they will deliver their ruling on Kamau’s bid to block the charges.

Trial magistrate Lawrence Mogambi was informed that the appellate judges had suspended the proceedings, prompting the lower court to put the matter on hold until the higher court issues further directions. The case will be mentioned on June 30.

Kamau Challenges Legality of Charges

Kamau moved to the Court of Appeal arguing that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) lacked the required quorum when it recommended his prosecution—rendering the charges unlawful.

He previously filed a similar challenge in the High Court, but the matter was dismissed, pushing him to seek relief from the appellate bench.

Kamau was charged in June 2015 with abuse of office and violating procurement regulations. The prosecution alleges that on March 15, 2008, while serving as a senior public officer, he ignored Chapter 5 of the Government Financial Regulations and Procedures in relation to the design of the Kamukuywa–Kaptama–Kapsokwony–Sirisia road project.

The design had already been completed by EngiConsult Consulting Engineers Limited at a cost of KSh 33,303,600, yet Kamau allegedly irregularly approved its redesign, resulting in loss of public funds.

Co-Accused Also Face Charges

Kamau’s co-accused—Nicholas Mburu Ng’anga and Kaka Matemu Kithyo—also denied the charges.

• Ng’anga was released on a KSh 1 million cash bail.

• Kithyo secured release on a KSh 600,000 bail before Senior Principal Magistrate Mogambi.

Kamau maintains he is innocent, insisting that the charges are unconstitutional and politically motivated. The outcome of the Court of Appeal ruling will determine whether the corruption trial proceeds or collapses entirely.