A senior health officer at Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) has defended himself against corruption charges, urging the court to acquit him over alleged discrepancies in the evidence.
Daniel Omido, a health administrator at NMS, appeared before Milimani Anti-Corruption Magistrate Celesa Okore and challenged the evidence presented by the prosecution.
NMS senior officer challenges bribery evidence
Omido told the court that the prosecution had failed to provide sufficient evidence to support a conviction.
“Your honour, I urge this court to consider the discrepancies in the evidence produced in this court and acquit me,” Omido told the magistrate.
First, he challenged the evidence concerning the alleged Sh400,000 bribe.
He noted that two prosecution witnesses gave different accounts of how the money was packaged. One witness said the cash was in three bundles, while another said it was in two bundles.
According to Omido, the discrepancy raises doubts about the prosecution’s case.
Omido questions forensic evidence
The NMS senior officer also argued that the prosecution did not produce forensic evidence linking him to the alleged bribe money.
He told the court that investigators could have examined the money for fingerprints.
“Your honour, the witness could have examined the said money forensically to prove whether my fingerprints appeared on the same,” he said.
Omido further argued that the prosecution did not produce photographs or video footage showing him receiving the alleged bribe.
He also challenged a video played during the hearing, saying investigators did not produce a statement from the person he allegedly spoke to in the recording.
NMS officer accused of soliciting Sh400,000 bribe
Omido faces charges of allegedly soliciting a Sh400,000 bribe from a company seeking approval of food-handler examination applications.
The complainant’s company, Quality Plus Laboratory and Consultancy Services, had reportedly received a two-year contract from the Nairobi County Government under NMS.
The contract ran from May 2022 to May 2024.
The company provided food-handler examination services in Dagoretti North, Kasarani and Kamukunji sub-counties.
According to the prosecution, Omido allegedly demanded Sh400,000 to approve online applications relating to the testing and certification of food handlers.
EACC arrests NMS senior officer
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) conducted an operation following the bribery complaint.
Investigators arrested Omido at Uchumi House after he allegedly received Sh200,000, which the prosecution described as part of the demanded amount.
The EACC allegedly recovered the money from his shopping bag.
However, Omido has denied the allegations and maintained that the prosecution’s evidence contains significant discrepancies.
He has now urged the court to consider the inconsistencies and acquit him on the corruption charges.
