NAIROBI, Kenya – Seven people connected to the Anglo Leasing scam have been asked to appear in their defence by the Nairobi High Court, overturning the trial court’s previous acquittal.
Judge Benjamin Musyoki of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Division overturned the January 19, 2024, decision that exonerated the defendants when the trial magistrate determined there was insufficient evidence to support their defence.
Following a successful appeal by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the decision was made.
David Lumumba Onyonka, Joseph Mbui Magari (former PS, Ministry of Finance), Dave Munya Mwangi (former Permanent Secretary, Provincial Administration in the Office of the President), and former Finance Minister David Mwiraria (now deceased) are among the accused. Businessmen Rashmi Chamanlal Kamani, Deepak Kumar Kamani, and Chamanlal Vrajlal Kamani are also charged.
What court records show about the Anglo Leasing scandal
Through a fictitious Supplier’s Credit Agreement for the modernisation of police security equipment and accessories for the Kenya Police, dated December 17, 2003, they are alleged to have conspired to defraud the Government of Kenya out of €40 million.
Between October 30, 2003, and April 14, 2004, the alleged acts were perpetrated in Nairobi.
In addition to the main charge, the Kamani family trio are further accused of fraudulent acquisition of public property.
According to court records, on or about April 14, 2004, they allegedly received €1.2 million from the Ministry of Finance by purporting to finance the police modernisation project through offshore accounts held in Switzerland under Apex Finance Corporation Ltd and Apex Finance International Corporation Ltd.
Separately, Mwiraria, Mwangi, Magari, and Onyonka face charges of engaging in a project without prior planning, wilful failure to follow procurement laws, and abuse of office.
How many witnesses did the prosecution present in the case
All the accused denied the charges when first arraigned. The prosecution presented 37 witnesses during the trial. However, the trial court ruled in January that the evidence was insufficient to proceed, acquitting all the accused under Section 210 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Dissatisfied with the decision, the DPP filed an appeal on January 29, 2024. In the appeal, Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions George Mong’are argued that the trial magistrate erred in law by failing to properly assess the evidence, which he said established a case that warranted defence.
In his ruling, Justice Musyoki agreed with the DPP and directed that the accused be placed on their defence. He further ordered the matter to be mentioned before the Anti-Corruption Chief Magistrate’s Court on August 7, 2025, with all accused persons required to appear in person.
The Anglo Leasing scandal, one of Kenya’s longest-running corruption cases, has remained a symbol of impunity and stalled justice for nearly two decades.
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