The High Court in Nairobi has ordered seven individuals implicated in the infamous Anglo-Leasing corruption scandal to present their defense, effectively reversing an earlier decision that had acquitted them.

Justice Benjamin Musyoki, sitting in the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Division, nullified the ruling delivered on January 19, 2024, by the trial magistrate, who had found no sufficient evidence to require the accused to respond to the charges.

This development follows a successful appeal filed by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).

The individuals facing renewed prosecution include the late former Finance Minister David Mwiraria, former Permanent Secretary for Provincial Administration Dave Munya Mwangi, ex-Finance Ministry PS Joseph Mbui Magari, and former official David Lumumba Onyonka.

Businessmen Deepak Kumar Kamani, Rashmi Chamanlal Kamani, and Chamanlal Vrajlal Kamani are also named in the case.

They stand accused of colluding to defraud the Government of Kenya of €40 million through a questionable Supplier’s Credit Agreement, allegedly tied to a police modernization project dated December 17, 2003. The offences are said to have taken place in Nairobi between October 2003 and April 2004.

In addition to the conspiracy charges, the Kamani family members are also accused of illegally acquiring public funds. Court documents indicate that on or about April 14, 2004, they received €1.2 million from the Ministry of Finance under the guise of financing the police project.

The funds were reportedly channeled through offshore accounts under Apex Finance Corporation Ltd and Apex Finance International Corporation Ltd, both based in Switzerland.

Separately, Mwiraria, Magari, Mwangi, and Onyonka face additional charges, including initiating a project without proper planning, flouting procurement procedures, and abuse of office.

All the accused denied wrongdoing when they were first charged. During the initial trial, the prosecution presented 37 witnesses. Despite this, the trial court concluded there was no case to answer, acquitting the accused under Section 210 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

The ODPP, dissatisfied with the outcome, lodged an appeal on January 29, 2024.

In the appeal, Senior Assistant DPP George Mong’ara argued that the trial magistrate had failed to evaluate the evidence thoroughly and had prematurely cleared the accused despite the prosecution having established a strong prima facie case.

Justice Musyoki, agreeing with the prosecution's position, ruled that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a defense.

He directed that the matter be mentioned before the Anti-Corruption Chief Magistrate’s Court on August 7, 2025, and ordered all accused persons to appear in court in person.

The Anglo Leasing case remains one of Kenya’s most notorious corruption scandals, having dragged on for nearly two decades. It has long been cited as a symbol of high-level impunity and the slow pace of justice in tackling economic crimes.