Couple Based in the US Fails to Stop Hearing at the Kenya High Court

The High Court has declined to stop the hearing on a case in which a couple residing in the US is charged with economic crime together with former National Land Commission (NLC) officials including former chairman Muhammad Swazuri.

The couple, Francis Kibaru Karanja and his wife Martha Wairimu Waithaka have been charged with conspiring to commit crime after they sold a house worth located in Thome Estate in Nairobi and worth Sh45 million to Sostenah Ogero Taracha and his wife Dr Salome Munibi, former NLC director.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) says part of the money Taracha used to buy the house was under investigation, and that the couple should have investigated the source of the money before closing on the deal. The couple says they had no idea that the money was tied to corruption, adding that they sold the property genuinely and in good faith.

Judge John Onyiego said Karanja and his wife have never pleaded to the charges, hence will not surfer any prejudice if the criminal proceedings continue. The High Court has declined to stop the hearing on a case in which a couple residing in the US is charged with economic crime together with former National Land Commission (NLC) officials including former chairman Muhamma Swazuri.

The couple, Francis Kibaru Karanja and his wife Martha Wairimu Waithaka have been charged with conspiring to commit crime after they sold a house worth located in Thome Estate in Nairobi and worth Sh45 million to Sostenah Ogero Taracha and his wife Dr Salome Munibi, former NLC director.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) says part of the money Taracha used to buy the house was under investigation, and that the couple should have investigated the source of the money before closing on the deal. The couple says they had no idea that the money was tied to corruption, adding that they sold the property genuinely and in good faith.