High Court halts prosecution of Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang'o

The legal proceedings against Margaret Nyakang'o, the embattled Controller of Budget, have come to a halt as a result of a High Court order issued to halt her prosecution. The trial Magistrate, Alex Ithuku, at the Mombasa law court, announced the suspension of the criminal matter after being informed of the existing High Court directive. The court has scheduled the next mention of the case for May 29, 2024.

The High Court order, issued last week, followed a case filed by West Mugirango MP Stephen Mogaka through lawyer Danstan Omari, who contested Nyakang'o's prosecution, citing it as a violation of her rights. In the filed court papers, Mogaka argued that Nyakang'o's arrest was seemingly connected to her public revelations concerning fiscal irregularities within various state arms and agencies. He contended that her arrest was a knee-jerk reaction with ulterior motives.

Margaret Nyakang'o was taken into custody in Mombasa on December 5, with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) approving multiple criminal charges against her and 10 other individuals. The latest developments underscore the legal complexities surrounding her arrest and the ongoing legal battle over the alleged violations.