Prosecution directed to reveal evidence in Governor Natembeya’s case

A Nairobi court has ordered the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to provide the defense with all the evidence it plans to use in the case involving Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya.

This directive was issued after the prosecution acknowledged its failure to adhere to a prior court order that mandated the disclosure of relevant materials.

The magistrate stated, “These documents and statements should have been submitted by now... I therefore instruct the prosecution to comply with the previous orders without further delay.”

State Counsel Victor Awiti, representing the prosecution, requested an additional two weeks to meet the court’s disclosure deadline, citing difficulties in obtaining documents from the Trans Nzoia County offices.

“Most of the required documents are held by Trans Nzoia County, and we have so far been unable to access them. We therefore ask for a further two weeks to comply,” Awiti explained.

The defense, however, strongly opposed the request, describing it as a misuse of the court process.

“They went to the county offices without notifying us, preventing our legal team from being present. Now they want more time. This is not how the criminal justice system works you cannot charge someone first and then start gathering evidence,” the defense contended. “We firmly reject the application for an extension.”

The court ruled that the prosecution must provide all relevant evidence by June 16, 2025, when the case will next be mentioned.

Governor Natembeya faces three charges: unlawful acquisition of public property, conflict of interest, and indirect benefit from public funds.

Shortly after the court session ended, tension erupted outside the courtroom when plainclothes police officers arrested three people believed to be employees of the Trans Nzoia County government.