It is a relief to former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko and 16 others after the court acquitted them in sh 357 million shillings corruption case.

Trial Magistrate Eunice Nyutu acquitted them saying there was no evidence placed before the court to warrant their conviction.

“The evidence is inadequate to sustain the charges leveled against the accused persons,” she ruled.

The Magistrate pointed a finger to the Director of Public Prosecution for bungling the case by calling only six witnesses yet he had indicated that he will call at least 38 witnesses to testify against the accused persons.

She noted that the prosecution had on several times sought an adjournment in the case and thereby failing to conduct the case in a manner that promotes public interest and public good.

“It’s tragic that a prosecution can lose sight of a case. The conduct by prosecution in this case reeks of neglect of duty,” she said.

All the 17 accused persons had been charged with a total of 19 graft charges.

They face a common charge of conspiring to corruptly embezzle public funds to a tune of Sh357,390,299.95 from Nairobi City County Government between May 24, 2018 and March 28, 2019.

They were charged with money laundering charges and acquisition of proceeds of crime

The court noted that no evidence was adduced to show that they committed the alleged offences.

The case had been proceeding on camera as majority of the witnesses were under witness protection.