By Enyichukwu Enemanna
A Kenyan court on Thursday granted a request by public prosecutors seeking the withdrawal of a 7.4 billion shillings ($60 million) corruption charge against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, citing lack of credible evidence.
Gachagua and several and his co-accused were charged with corruption in July last year, an accusation he has consistently denied.
“The application by Director of Public Prosecutions is hereby granted,” Victor Wakumile, a magistrate at the anti-corruption court said in his ruling.
“The accused persons is hereby warned and informed they maybe re-arrested in future should investigators find evidence on similar charges,” he added.
Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji asked the court earlier this month to allow the withdrawal of the graft charges against Gachagua citing insufficient evidence.
There was no challenge to the prosecutor’s request to drop the case in court.
In a separate ruling in July, a court ordered Gachagua to repay 202 million shillings which it determined were the proceeds of corruption.
At the time, Gachagua said the verdict was intended to undermine his candidacy in the Aug. 9 election on then presidential candidate William Ruto’s ticket.
Under new President Ruto’s government, prosecutors have withdrawn several cases against some of his allies on the same grounds.
