Kidero fights to stop Sh1bn account freeze over Mumias sugar saga
Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero wants the High Court to reject an application seeking to freeze his accounts holding about Sh1 billion.
Businessman Jacob Juma has asked the court to put the accounts on ice, accusing Dr Kidero of stealing Sh650 million belonging to Mumias Sugar Company, where he served as managing director.
The governor on Monday dismissed Mr Juma’s application as an abuse of the judicial process, driven by political ill will.
The theft allegations, he said, were based on mere rumours and therefore have no legal basis.
In a replying affidavit through lawyer Tom Ojienda, Dr Kidero said claims that he received Sh650 million on behalf of Mumias Sugar Company were unfounded.
1,3450 METRIC TONNES
“I never received the money in cash on behalf of the company. The sum alleged to have been paid to me by Y.H. Wholesalers Limited for the sale of 1,3450 metric tonnes of sugar was paid to the account belonging to Mumias Sugar Company through three different bank transfer transactions on different dates,” reads the affidavit filed before judge Isaac Lenaola.
“To freeze my accounts with respect to monies that I never took would be a great injustice to my person as I would be evidently curtailed in the use of my property due to the huge amounts of money the petitioner is requesting the court to freeze.”
He said allegations that he received the payment do not hold any water as there is evidence to show that the said amounts were indeed paid into Mumias account.
JUMA’S PLEA
In his application, Mr Juma said there were revelations that Dr Kidero received Sh650 million on behalf of the company but he never deposited it in Mumias accounts.
“It is important that Dr Kidero’s accounts be frozen to the tune of Sh650 million pending the hearing and determination of this application to protect this case otherwise it may be rendered nugatory since he is likely to hide this money,” Mr Juma said in his court papers.
The allegations against the Nairobi governor were made by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, who claimed that Dr Kidero received the funds on behalf of Mumias as envisaged in the sales agreement between Mumias and Y. H. Wholesalers for the sale of 13,450 metric tons of sugar.