Juja legislator George Koimburi has been freed on a Sh100,000 cash bail after pleading not guilty to allegations of conspiring to defraud a businessman of prime land valued at Sh10 million.
Koimburi is charged alongside Shelmith Karungri Maina and Gathi Irungu, who are accused of working together to dispossess Julius Gitonga of a 1.31-hectare parcel of land located in Ruiru East/Juja East.
In court, Koimburi’s lawyer urged the magistrate to release him on a free bond, citing his position as a sitting Member of Parliament and his consistent compliance with court summons. The defence also told the court that the complainant had signaled a willingness to withdraw the case.
“The accused is not a flight risk. As an elected MP, he risks losing his seat if he misses eight consecutive sittings in Parliament,” the defence submitted.
The prosecution, however, opposed the application for a free bond but said it did not object to bail on more reasonable terms.
“While we oppose free bond, the State has no objection to the accused being released on a lenient cash bail,” the prosecutor told the court, adding that the Director of Public Prosecutions had already sought a review of the charges.
Maina, the second accused, is out on a similar Sh100,000 cash bail, while Irungu, the third accused, did not take plea after his lawyer informed the court that he was unwell and receiving treatment abroad.
The case will be mentioned on October 22 at the Milimani Law Courts.
