EACC appeals ruling allowing City Hall employee to keep Sh643m assets

The anti-graft agency has filed an appeal seeking to overturn a High Court decision allowing a junior City Hall employee to keep assets worth Sh643 million. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) wanted the assets forfeited to the state.

In a notice to the Court of Appeal, the EACC said it was dissatisfied with the High Court ruling and wanted it set aside in its entirety.

“Being dissatisfied with the judgement and decree of the High Court Anti-Corruption Court at Nairobi (Nixon Sifuna J.) given on November 7, 2024 … intends to appeal to the Court of Appeal against the whole of the said decision,” the commission said in its notice.

EACC spokesperson Eric Ngumbi said the commission considered the ruling a setback in the fight against corruption and that allowing it to stand would set a bad precedent.

“By disturbing the established legal principles and standards, the judgement potentially reverses the jurisprudential gains that Kenya has so far made in the recovery of public funds and assets stolen by corrupt public officials,” Mr Ngumbi said.

On Thursday, Justice Nixon Sifuna set aside an order freezing the assets and funds in five bank accounts owned by Mr Wilson Nashon Kanani and his wife, accepting their explanation of how they acquired the wealth.

“I find that the respondents have satisfactorily explained that the assets were acquired genuinely as there is no evidence on record that he (Mr Kanani) is corrupt or engaged on corruption or were acquired through corruption. The explanation and evidence tabled in court is satisfactory,” the judge said.

The EACC had argued that Mr Kanani had abused his position by receiving revenue meant for the Nairobi County government through bank accounts held by his and his wife’s private companies.

In its investigations, the anti-graft agency said Mr Kanani’s assets in the form of land, vehicles, cash and cash deposits were not accounted for.

The assets include a flat in Nairobi worth Sh6.5 million, a house in Busia worth Sh11.2 million and land in Naivasha worth Sh3.5 million.

The EACC also said Mr Kanani acquired four high-end motor vehicles – a Toyota Land Cruiser V8, a Mercedes Benz E 300, a Mercedes Benz E350 and a Toyota Alphard — over a period of five years.

The anti-graft agency further said it investigated his five bank accounts and found that he received cumulative deposits of Sh506 million between January 2016 and October 31, 2022.

However, the judge noted that the only evidence linking Mr Kanani to the alleged corruption was a criminal case in which he was convicted, but he appealed the decision and the sentence was overturned.

He also disagreed with the EACC’s argument that his salary was too low to justify the assets and funds in his accounts.

“A keen public officer who invests his money will have more assets than an executive who spends his otherwise humongous salary on leisure and sin,” said the judge.

jmoturi@ke.nationmedia.com

AM Live

AM Live is NTV's morning current affairs show that sets the agenda for the day with insightful panels every weekday.

BNX

Business Redefined

Business Redefined is Kenya’s premier thought leadership platform for unpacking matters regarding economic and finance policy as well demystifying complex developments in the region’s capital markets.

Comedies

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Documentaries

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Entertainment

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Full Episodes

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Gumzo La Sato

Gumzo La Sato is a live social issues show that aims to create awareness about issues affecting the larger society. The discussions range from Parenting, Marital bliss and struggles, Oppression, violence, and all matters of the Heart.

Health Diary

Health Diary is a weekly show that highlights different types of diseases/conditions and seeks ways to prevent, treat/manage them. The show debunks this through real life stories and also feature specialists in different fields, to offer medical advice on the same.

Letter To My Younger Self

Letter To My Younger Self is a podcast where guests get to write a letter to their younger self, from which Maxine formulates questions to ask them during the hour-long show.

Mazao Talks

Mazao looks at agriculture and agribusiness

Nation Reports

Nation Reports is a weekly podcast offers an opportunity for listeners to interact with various reporters and journey with them as they unravel the biggest most emotive stories.

One Health Lens Podcast

Discussing health matters and human stories from Kenya and across Africa. We talk big picture from people to policy, ecosystems, and everything in between. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onehealthlens

Paradise Lost

Paradise Lost peeks through the story of Louis Otieno, the times, and everything in between.

Podcasts

Podcasts

Primetime

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Speaking of GEN Z

Speaking of Gen Z brings you entertaining but meaningful conversations about a generation that is trying to navigate through adulthood. Join hosts Michelle, Jackie and Esther as they unravel all things Gen Z.

Sport On

Sport-On is a 30-minute sports magazine show on NTV and 3 hours on NATION FM. The show seeks to give the sports “fanatics” and “funatics” comprehensive and in-depth coverage of sports both locally and internationally.

Tech-over

The extent of technological growth is beyond mere acknowledgment; it has seamlessly integrated into our daily existence. A few years ago, the notion of paying electricity bills through mobile money or recharging with 'tokens' in Kenya seemed inconceivable. Online product sales were considered distant, and artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping various facets of our lives. Amidst these technological leaps, those with a solid understanding of tech can navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and build a sustainable livelihood. Tech over Show aims to be the platform facilitating discussions among thought leaders, innovators, tech companies, and the government, addressing challenges and opportunities in Kenya's thriving tech industry.

Thamani

Thamani is a business show which is dedicated to emerging issues regarding micro, small and medium size businesses.

The Politalk podcast

This is The Politalk podcast. Here we look into the ins and outs of everything Kenyan politics. We pull no punches and have no reason to sugarcoat anything that matters to Kenyans.

The Trend

A two-hour-long live show that airs on Fridays. The show focuses on what is current in the entertainment industry, controversial and popular across all media platforms targeting those aged between 25 and 35 years.

The trend podcast

The trend podcast highlights and captures the best of banter from #TTTT segment that airs every Friday on NTV. It's the TTTT EXTRA

The Wicked Edition

The Wicked Edition with Dr. King’ori seeks to address serious issues through humour and relatable wit. It is a two-part half hour show filmed in front of a live audience

Trending

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Twende

Twende is a travel show that highlights beautiful, unique, diverse locations, people, and cultures. The show offers fresh perspectives on familiar locations and memorable experiences in new ones.

Unscripted

This Saturday evening lifestyle show lets viewers share their stories and life experiences as openly & honestly for the purpose of shifting the culture of silence.

VIP Access

VIP ACCESS is Anyiko Owoko’s YouTube and podcast show on Music and Culture dedicated to promoting Africa’s most promising talent and creatives. This podcast grants you VIP access into timeless interviews while providing a platform for rising as well as established artists across the continent. Since launching in 2018, Anyiko has interviewed over 70 African music stars.

WADR

This weekly news show aims to have all sides of debate but not be constrained by it, listen to main voices in the contest but not allow them to hold the viewers hostage, entertain debate but allow push back with all due respect.

When death do us part

In this podcast, three widowers openly speak about the process of grief, how they found themselves exposed to the emotional turmoil of losing their wives, and how society still does not know how to deal with them.

Your World

Your World is a health, wellness and variety show. It provides a platform for audiences and experts to share their experiences on how to improve or manage health issues, across Kenya and the Africa region.