NYS scandal case fails to kick off for second straight day

The hearing for the second National Youth Service (NYS) scandal before Principal Magistrate Peter Ooko failed to commence on Tuesday for the second straight day.

This was after the court granted the defense a request for three days to further prepare for the hearing after the prosecution consolidated and amended the charge sheet thereby introducing new charges and new accused persons to the case.

Samuel Lanlin Otieno, an accountant at the Ministry of Trade, Steven Macharia Kinene and Stephen Kasyoki Munyuzu pleaded to the graft charges a day after former Youth PS Lilian Omollo, ex-NYS boss Richard Ndubai and other accused persons pleaded not guilty to the amended charges.

Magistrate Ooko directed the prosecution to supply specific defense counsels with documents to enable kick-off of the hearing, further warning the prosecution against introducing new documents in the case unless they seek leave of the court.

The defense counsels argued that new counts and charges changed particulars of the matter hence they needed enough time to consult with accused persons.

The case was adjourned and set for hearing on January 14, 2019.