Mr Kilukumi.
By MAUREEN NGESA (mngesa@ke.nationmedia.com)
Posted Monday, March 14 2011 at 17:36
Posted Monday, March 14 2011 at 17:36
Lawyer Kioko Kilukumi, who President Kibaki unsuccessfully nominated to be Kenya's next director of public prosecutions, is back to defending suspended Cabinet minister William Ruto in a Sh96 million fraud case.
Mr Kilukumi return follows the withdrawal of his name from consideration as for the post of Director of Public Prosecutions.
The nominations stirred a prolonged controversy with the President being accused of acting unconstitutionally when he picked the four.
The others were Court of Appeal judge Alnashir Visram, Prof Githu Muigai and Mr William Kirwa as the Chief Justice, Attorney General and Controller of Budget respectively.
Mr Kilukumi had decided to step down from Mr Ruto's the defence team awaiting confirmation of the presidential nominations.
President Kibaki was later to withdraw the list of nominees amidst a national outcry that the nominations were unconstitutional.
“I left the case on grounds that I will be back if the nominations are not confirmed.” said the lawyer.
He now joins the proceedings that have been ongoing and that are expected to run through the end of the month.
Rejoin
Chief magistrate Gilbert Mutembei allowed him to rejoin the defence.
Mr Ruto has been charged together with Mr Joshua Kulei and Baringo Central MP Sammy Mwaita in relation to the sale of forest land in Ngong.
According to the charges, Mr Ruto and Mr Kulei received Sh38 million and Sh58.8 million from Kenya Pipeline Company respectively.
In the hearing on Monday, an advocate Ambrose Rachier testified against the accused.
Mr Rachier denied seeing or receiving a letter from Sovereign Group company that was requesting him to register a number of companies.
Sovereign Group - a company associated with Mr Kulei - is also mentioned in the charges.
Sovereign Group - a company associated with Mr Kulei - is also mentioned in the charges.
The hearing continues on Tuesday.
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