Twelve individuals accused in a Sh283.2 million Nairobi cemetery land scandal have been placed on their defence after a Milimani Anti-Corruption Court ruled that the prosecution had established a case requiring them to respond to the charges.
Principal Magistrate Celesa Okore delivered the ruling on October 27, 2026, in Milimani Anti-Corruption Case No. 19 of 2010, paving the way for the accused to present their defence from January 25 to 29, 2027.
The accused are Sammy Kipng’etich Kirui, Mary Ngechi Ng’ethe, Alexander Musanga Musee, Maina Chege, Naen Rech Limited, Newton Omondi Osiemo, Alphonce Mutinda, Paul Chapia Onduso, Davies Odero Osiemo, Joseph Owino K’ojwando, Daniel Mulwa Nguku and Herman Stevens Chavera.
They face various charges, including conspiracy to commit corruption, fraudulent acquisition and disposal of public property, and fraudulent practices in procurement proceedings.
However, proceedings against the second accused, Mary Ngechi Ng’ethe, remain stayed following an order by the Court of Appeal pending the determination of a matter before the superior court.
The case centres on allegations that the accused conspired to defraud the Ministry of Local Government and the defunct City Council of Nairobi of public funds earmarked for the purchase of land to establish a public cemetery.
According to investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the alleged scheme was carried out between December 2008 and April 2009, with the accused allegedly presenting Sh283.2 million as the purchase price for land parcel L.R. No. 14759/2.
The parcel was purportedly acquired for use as a public cemetery.
Investigators further established that various accused persons allegedly received different amounts of public money in February 2009, with the sums ranging from Sh8 million to Sh281.3 million.
The EACC also alleged that Sh117 million belonging to the City Council of Nairobi and the Ministry of Local Government was fraudulently disposed of under the guise of proceeds from the sale of the cemetery land by Naen Rech Limited.
The commission welcomed the court’s decision, saying it would continue supporting the prosecution as the case proceeds.
The ruling marks another stage in the long-running case, which dates back to 2010 and concerns the alleged irregular use of public funds in a land transaction intended to provide Nairobi with a public cemetery.
The accused remain presumed innocent until proven guilty.
