A Milimani Anti‑Corruption Court magistrate ruled on 27 October 2026 that twelve persons and one firm must mount a defence against accusations of defrauding the defunct Nairobi City Council and the Ministry of Local Government of Sh283.2 million linked to a cemetery land purchase.

The alleged scheme centres on land parcel L.R. No. 14759/2, which was purportedly bought with public funds for a new Nairobi cemetery, but investigators say the transaction was fraudulent.

The accused list includes Sammy Kipng’etich Kirui, Mary Ngechi Ng’ethe, Alexander Musanga Musee, Maina Chege, Naen Rech Limited and nine others, all facing charges of conspiracy to commit corruption, fraudulent acquisition and disposal of public property, and procurement fraud.

According to the Ethics and Anti‑Corruption Commission, the alleged fraud took place between December 2008 and April 2009, when the accused supposedly secured Sh283.2 million from the two public bodies under the pretense of buying cemetery land.

Prosecutors allege that the money was distributed among the participants, with individual receipts ranging from Sh8 million to as much as Sh281.3 million, and that Sh117 million belonging to the former City Council and Ministry was improperly disposed of as proceeds from a sale by Naen Rech Limited.

The court clarified that ordering the defence does not constitute a finding of guilt; the accused will have the opportunity to challenge the prosecution’s evidence before a final determination.

A separate appeal order keeps the proceedings against Mary Ngechi Ng’ethe stayed pending a higher‑court ruling, meaning she remains exempt from the upcoming defence hearing.

The defence hearing is scheduled for 25 to 29 January 2027, when the accused are expected to present their responses to the charges.