Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko faces a fresh legal battle after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) amended his charge sheet in his Ksh357 million graft case.
Sonko will be required to plead afresh on Monday, September 14, after a new charge of abuse of office was introduced.
His appearance at a Nairobi court on Monday, September 7, however, caught the attention of Kenyans not because of the proceedings but the decaying condition of the courtroom.
As Sonko sat pensively in a suit, water leaked from the roof above his head and dripped around him.
Part of the roof appeared to be missing, and the rain water left the floor muddy.
The floor itself was full of gaping holes, offering a glimpse into the poor condition of courts around the country.
Footage from Sonko's hearing further reignited debate on Chief Justice David Maraga's complaints that the Judiciary was underfunded and disregarded. He has repeatedly stated that the situation made it difficult to effectively dispense justice.
Outdoor hearings were introduced at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in a bid to curb the spread of the virus.
Sonko had pleaded not guilty to the graft charges leveled against him. The prosecution disclosed that twenty witnesses had been lined up to testify in the case.
Magistrate Douglas Ogoti directed the prosecution to supply a schedule of chronology which they would call their witnesses.
Ogoti further stated that the case would be heard on a day-to-day basis, with no applications or adjournments to be given.
The hearings started on Monday, September 14, after the plea was taken and allocated five hours a day.
The prosecution further stated that no plea bargain deal would be offered.
Watch a video from the hearing below:
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