Nairobi Court Sets Hearing Date For Brian Mwenda’s Impersonation Case

The Nairobi court has scheduled Brian Mwenda’s criminal trial, where he is accused of impersonating a High Court lawyer, to commence on March 11, 2024. This decision was made by Milimani Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina following confirmation from Mwenda’s lawyer, Danstan Omari, that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga had provided all the necessary evidence material to support the prosecution’s case.

During the pre-trial conference on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, the court had ordered the DPP to furnish Mwenda’s defense team with the evidence against him within two weeks to ensure a speedy resolution of the case. This directive came after the Prosecution informed the court that they were yet to receive evidence from five institutions.

Mwenda’s lawyer, Danstan Omari, had previously petitioned for his client’s release, arguing that the prosecution lacked sufficient evidence to support the charges against him. Omari stated that since Mwenda’s arraignment, no evidence had been presented to the defense.

“This matter was rushed to court solely for political reasons by the Law Society of Kenya… it is astonishing that the DPP has yet to gather evidence in this case two weeks after the accused was charged. Given the clear lack of evidence presented by the state, we seek the accused’s discharge,” Omari argued.

Omari also criticized the Prosecution’s handling of the case, stating that they had hastily charged Mwenda without completing their investigations into the allegations of impersonation. Mwenda is facing six counts of impersonation, uttering a false document, making a false document, and possessing a false practicing certificate.