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Judge reduces Samburu governor’s cash bail to Sh10m from Sh100m


Samburu Governor Moses Lenolkulal got a relief on Wednesday evening when a judge reduced his bail terms by up to 90 per cent.

High Court judge Justice Mumbi Ngugi cut the cash bail slapped on the governor to Sh10 million from Sh100 million saying it was excessive.

The judge also revised the bond terms downwards. This means that Governor Lenolkulal will alternatively be required to submit a Sh30 bond from Sh150 million, with one surety of a similar amount.

“At any rate, given the nature and circumstances of this case and the penalty provided in law, it is my view that the bond terms imposed on the applicant are excessive, and may well amount to a denial of bail,” ruled the judge.

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“It has not been demonstrated that he is a flight risk, and I note that the Prosecution did not oppose his application for bail. The applicant has also been barred from accessing county offices, so the apprehension that he may interfere with witnesses is not a consideration.”

On Tuesday, Chief Magistrate Douglas Ogoti released the governor on a cash bail of Sh100 million — the highest ever in the country — after denying Sh84 million corruption charges before a Nairobi court.

In addition to the bail terms, Mr Lenolkulal was ordered not to access the Samburu County government offices in Maralal pending the hearing and determination of an application to be filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions.