By Tajeu Shadrack Nkapapa
The prosecution called its initial witness, the County Secretary for Nakuru County, during the current trial concerning the purported forgery of lease documents associated with the land of War Memorial Hospital.
This case is being adjudicated by Chief Magistrate Hon. Elizabeth Juma at the Nakuru Law Courts and revolves around allegations that the defendant falsified documents to obtain an unlawful 50-year lease for the hospital’s 25-acre site located in Milimani Estate.
The County Secretary provided testimony in court regarding the County Government’s resolution to deny the renewal of the Certificate of Lease for the contested land.
The witness informed the court that the hospital administration had presented falsified documents while renewing the lease.
According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Key evidence presented by the prosecution included a document listing individuals as hospital directors before their birth, casting significant doubt on its authenticity.
“Additionally, receipts purportedly issued by Nakuru County were discredited as counterfeit, with the prosecution challenging the validity of stamps, signatures, and other official markers on the contested documents, alleging they were forged,” said the ODPP.
The ODPP highlighted that the accused include hospital directors Roger Joslyn, Dr. Simon Mwangi, Malcolm Bell, and land administrators Peter Nzuki and Stephen Kihenjo. Nyandarua County Assembly Speaker Steve Waiganjo and businessman Kipkemboi Marindich are also implicated.
“The group faces 12 charges, including abuse of office, forgery, and conspiracy to defraud.”
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has indicated that Ms. Emma Okok, Ms. Jacklyne Kisoo, and Mr Shadrack Ruto are leading the prosecution team.