The High Court has directed the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to put on hold the search and evaluation of properties owned by former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero.
Justice Hedwig Ongudi on Thursday granted the orders in an urgent application by Mr Kidero, who has accused EACC of harassing him with the intention to cripple him economically.
The judge asked the anti-graft agency to put on hold the investigation until next week when a ruling on Mr Kidero’s application seeking to stop the search will be heard.
HARASSMENT CLAIMS
The former governor has accused the anti-graft body of harassing him despite the existence of a court order barring the same.
Through lawyer Tom Ojienda, Mr Kidero argues in his latest filings that EACC has in an attempt to defeat a matter which is pending ruling, and without a court order, raided properties and establishments which he owns directly or through companies associated with him, and harassed and intimidated tenants, occupants and the patrons of the establishments.
He had filed a case last month seeking temporary orders stopping the anti-graft body from seizing his documents and properties on the basis of a search warrant issued on September 19.
A ruling is yet to be delivered.
“EACC claims it is undertaking investigations and valuations on the properties and establishments, and in the process has sought to register restrictions on some of the properties without giving sufficient notice to Dr Kidero or the companies as required by law,” says lawyer Ojienda.
The lawyer also argues in the application, that EACC’s action and conduct has caused distress, havoc and panic amongst the tenants, occupants and patrons of all the properties and establishments on properties associated with Mr Kidero.
He says there is eminent danger that the tenants, occupants and patrons will vacate the properties or avoid the establishments for fear of harassments.
“EACC’s action and conduct amounts to economic sabotage against Dr Kidero and is intended to cripple him financially,” lawyer Ojienda in court papers.