Three arrested outside Milimani court after Natembeya graft hearing

The three were apprehended moments after Justice Zipporah Gichana, during the court session, ordered the prosecution to disclose evidence against Governor Natembeya's graft charges.

Natembeya is facing three counts: unlawful acquisition of public property, conflict of interest, and indirectly benefiting from public funds.

The directive follows an admission by the prosecution that it had failed to comply with an earlier court order regarding the disclosure of evidence.

"Those documents and statements ought to have been supplied by now...I therefore direct the prosecution to comply with the earlier orders," Gichana ordered.

The prosecution had asked for two more weeks to comply with the earlier orders on material disclosure.

"Most of the documents are to be obtained from Trans Nzoia County, and we have been unable to access them. We are requesting an additional two weeks to comply,” State Counsel Victor Awiti submitted.

However, the defence opposed the application, arguing it amounted to an abuse of the court process.

“Why would they visit the county offices without informing us, so that our legal team could be present? Now they are asking for more time. That is not how the criminal justice system operates—you do not charge someone first, then begin looking for evidence,” the defence argued.

“We strongly oppose the application for an extension of time.”

The prosecution was ordered to disclose all relevant materials on or before June 16 when the matter will be mentioned.