DPP to draft new charges in Parklands eviction case

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) now intends to introduce new criminal charges against auctioneer Zachariah Baraza over the eviction and demolition of a Sh80 million home in Westlands Nairobi in November last year.

The new twist in the case emerged yesterday after the DPP, through State Counsel James Gachoka, sought the postponement of the hearing of the case to enable him amend the charge sheet in the case before the trial can kick off.

While seeking for the adjournment, Gachoka said there are three other suspects, who are still at large and police are pursuing them with a view to prosecuting them together with Baraza.

“We are not ready to proceed with three witnesses in court as the other offenders are still at large and the State seeks to apprehend them and consolidate with Baraza’s case. Further, the State intends to amend the charges by introducing other charges. The new charge sheet has not been prepared by the DPP, “ Gachoka told the court.

He stated that the Prosecution was also not ready to proceed as the documents in the case are voluminous and was unable to conduct a pre-trial with the witnesses in the matter on Monday ahead of the hearing. Currently, there are warrants of arrests in force against the three suspects including Samuel Chepkwony, John Rotich and Joel Kiplagat.