Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji has dropped graft charges against former Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa, who has been nominated for the position of Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service.

Jumwa was facing charges of conspiring to commit fraud by illegally paying Sh19 million but the charges were withdrawn on Wednesday under Section 87 (a) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC).

The DPP, represented by Senior state counsel Alex Akula, told Mombasa Chief Magistrate Martha Mutuku that he had been ordered to apply to withdraw the charges against Jumwa.

"I have instructions to move the court with an application on review of charges and that is specifically on the first accused person the final directive is to have her name removed and the case against eight suspects who had been charged alongside Jumwa to proceed,” said Akula.

The defence led by Jared Magolo lauded the move but demanded that the DPP issues an unreserved apology to the former MP who unsuccessfully vied for governor in Kilifi County.

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Aisha Jumwa and Kennedy Otieno. PHOTO/COURTESY

The magistrate ordered the matter be mentioned before her court to enable the ejection of Jumwa’s name from the charge sheet as the remaining eight suspects take fresh pleas.

Jumwa was accused of conspiring to commit fraud through the tender payment of Sh19 million from the Malindi Constituency NG-CDF monies to Multiserve Contractors.

The incoming CS, if her nomination is approved by MPs during vetting, was charged alongside Wachu Omar, Kennedy Otieno, Bernard Riba, Sophia Saidi, Margaret Kalume, Robert Katana and Multiserve Contractors.

The said fraud is said to have been committed between May 14, 2018 and October 12, 2018