NAIROBI, Kenya- In a surprise development, Kenya’s Director of Public Prosecutions, Renson Ingonga Mulele, has dropped charges against Yagnesh Devani, a wealthy businessman long associated with the high-profile Ksh 7.6 billion petroleum scandal.
Anti-Corruption Chief Magistrate Harrison Barasa revealed on Monday that the prosecution lacked witnesses and supporting evidence to proceed, effectively bringing the 15-year-old case to a standstill—at least for now.
Devani’s legal troubles date back to 2008, when he fled to the UK amid allegations of defrauding the Kenyan government.
His company, Triton Petroleum Company Limited, was accused of orchestrating a massive scheme, leaving a Ksh 7.6 billion hole in the nation’s coffers.
In a bid to bring Devani to justice, the Kenyan government secured an extradition order, leading to his return to Kenya this February after 13 years abroad.
Despite this extradition, the case met an unexpected end this week, as the prosecution disclosed its struggles: key witnesses have either passed away or are unwilling to testify, crippling the state’s ability to build a solid case.
The charges have been dismissed under Section 87A of the Criminal Procedure Code, which allows for future prosecution should fresh evidence emerge.
This decision raises questions about the effectiveness of Kenya’s judicial processes in prosecuting high-stakes financial cases.
