Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero has come out to reveal the value of his property in a court battle with the anti-graft body.
While making his submission in court on Monday, February 7, Kidero revealed that he is worth Ksh563.9 Million and not Ksh9 billion as earlier indicated by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
The former Nairobi county boss however admitted to owning 60 per cent of the property listed by EACC in the case.
This follows a court ruling that barred EACC from searching and valuing his multi-billion property until the outcome of another case he filed is known.
In the verdict delivered by three judges Kidero survived a push to reveal his net worth and the same evidence presented in court. Among the properties, EACC earmarked for valuation include Gem Investments, Gem Apartments, and Gem Suites.
Kidero argued that the valuation of his property with the case pending before Appellate court was disrespecting the court process.
“In our view, the applicants’ appeal is arguable and is not frivolous as correctly held by this Court differently constituted in a previous application. We have no reason to hold otherwise,” Justices Roselyn Nambuye, Asike Makhandia and Jamila Mohammed ruled.
EACC on the other side argued that the inspection and valuation of the property was part of the investigation being undertaken in pursuant to its constitutional and statutory mandate and that the politician had been notified of the inspection from June 28, 2021.
Kidero's wife, Susan Mboya also argued that EACC was violating her right to privacy, by stating that while the rights of women, whether within marriage or outside must be jealously safeguarded, they can be complicit in the concealment of corruptly acquired public assets.
EACC had listed 58 properties which they approximated to be worth Ksh9 billion stating that some were registered in the names of his children, while some of the properties targeted were purchased before he joined Mumias Sugar Company.
The initial search by EACC officers was conducted in Kidero's Muthiaga, Kisumu and his offices in Nairobi, Westlands area.
The former governor was accused of receiving millions held in several accounts and used the proceeds to acquire different properties during his tenure at the troubled Mumias Sugar and later as Nairobi county boss.
