Juja MP George Koimburi has been arraigned in Nairobi over allegations of fraud in a Sh10 million land deal.
He appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Robinson Ondieki, facing four charges: conspiracy to defraud, forgery, obtaining land registration by false pretences, and uttering false documents.
Prosecutors allege that Koimburi, together with others already before the court, conspired to defraud Julius Gitonga of a 1.3-hectare parcel of land in Ruiru valued at Sh10 million, with the offence said to have occurred on or before March 2020.
Koimburi denied the charges.
His defence team requested free bond, arguing he was not a flight risk and risked losing his parliamentary seat if he missed more than eight consecutive sittings.
They also claimed the MP had settled the matter with the complainant and petitioned the DPP to review the case.
“The complainant has already indicated willingness to withdraw this matter. My client is therefore not a flight risk and deserves to be granted a free bond," the defence submitted
“The accused is a sitting MP for Juja Constituency. There is no incentive for him to abscond,” the defence added.
Magistrate Ondieki released him on a cash bail of Sh100,000.
His co-accused, Shelmith Karungiri, was earlier freed on similar terms, while lawyer Gathii Irungu, also implicated, is reportedly abroad and yet to take plea.
The case will be mentioned on October 22 for pre-trial.
