The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Renson Ingonga, on Wednesday intensified efforts to prevent further delays in the Anglo Leasing corruption trial, one of Kenya’s most high-profile and long-running cases.
He urged the Court of Appeal to reject a defence application that he said is aimed at stalling the trial, insisting that the case should proceed without interruption in the interest of justice.
The renewed legal battle comes after two of the accused, Rashmi Chamanlal Kamani and Deepak Kumar Kamani, challenged a High Court ruling that placed them on defence, following the court’s finding that the prosecution had established a prima facie case. The pair is seeking a full and independent review of the lower court’s decision by the appellate court.
Through Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Jami Yamina, the DPP opposed the application, warning that a detailed review at this stage could prejudice the trial court’s judgment. “There are sufficient procedural and evidential safeguards available to the applicants should they proceed to mount their defence,” Yamina told the court, adding that the accused have the right to remain silent if they believe responding would fill gaps in the prosecution’s case.
Prosecutors argue that a thorough reassessment of evidence by the Court of Appeal could influence the trial court’s independent evaluation when the defence presents its case.
The DPP further said the applicants had not demonstrated exceptional circumstances to justify halting the trial. He maintained that the proper process is for the accused to present their defence while allowing the trial court to determine the matter on its merits.
The High Court had previously set aside a January 19, 2024 ruling by a trial magistrate that had acquitted all the accused for lack of a prima facie case under Section 210 of the Criminal Procedure Code. Justice Benjamin Musyoki of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Division ruled that the evidence justified placing the accused on defence and ordered that the case be mentioned before the Anti-Corruption Chief Magistrate’s Court on August 7, 2025, requiring all accused to appear in person.
The case involves senior former government officials and businessmen accused of conspiring to defraud the Government of Kenya of Sh5.16 billion through a Supplier’s Credit Agreement aimed at modernising police security equipment. The agreement is dated December 17, 2003, with offences said to have occurred between October 30, 2003, and April 14, 2004, in Nairobi.
Among those charged are the late former Finance Minister David Mwiraria, former Permanent Secretary Dave Munya Mwangi, former Treasury PS Joseph Mbui Magari, and David Lumumba Onyonka.
Businessmen Rashmi Chamanlal Kamani, Deepak Kumar Kamani, and Chamanlal Vrajlal Kamani also face charges, including fraudulently acquiring public property.
Court records indicate that the Kamani family allegedly received Sh154.8 million from the Ministry of Finance through offshore accounts in Switzerland by falsely claiming to fund the police modernisation project.
All accused denied the charges when first arraigned. The prosecution has called 37 witnesses so far, but the trial has faced repeated delays, highlighting the challenges Kenya has experienced in concluding complex corruption cases.
With the DPP now pushing the Court of Appeal to allow the trial to continue, the proceedings once again test the judiciary’s capacity to resolve long-standing corruption matters.
