The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) has decided to drop the case against Dennis Itumbi, the Chief Administrative Secretary for ICT, who was accused of fabricating a letter that alleged a plot to assassinate then-Deputy President William Ruto. The ODPP declared the case unconstitutional and cited a lack of sufficient evidence.
The court, in acquitting Itumbi, criticized the entire prosecution process, stating that it violated the constitution. Itumbi faced charges of forging a document, publishing false statements, and tampering with his cell phone. However, he vehemently denied all the allegations.
The forged letter claimed that a group of high-ranking officials from former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s cabinet had met at the La Mada Hotel in Nairobi to plan Ruto’s assassination. Despite the state presenting eight witnesses to support their claims against Itumbi and his co-accused Anderson Gikunda, the court found the evidence lacking.
Itumbi’s lawyer, Katwa Katwa, argued that the forensic report should have demonstrated that the accused did not commit the offenses mentioned in the three counts.
During the proceedings, Itumbi accused the prosecution of intentionally delaying the case, claiming that the state’s tactic of claiming a missing police file was a violation of his rights.
In response to the withdrawal of the case, Itumbi criticized former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, former Permanent Secretary Karanja Kibicho, and former Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) George Kinoti. He expressed his disapproval, stating, “The Court has thrown out La Mada charges, describing them as unconstitutional! The end of Republic vs Dennis Itumbi and @Terriz_Sam is an opportunity to tell @Karanjakibicho, Fred Matiang’i, and former DCI boss Kinoti – shame on you.”
Itumbi’s acquittal marks the conclusion of a legal battle that has garnered significant attention, with implications for the individuals involved and the broader political landscape.