Media Shut Out as Barnabas Kiprop Bwabok’s KSh14.9 Million Fraud Case Goes Behind Closed Doors at Milimani
Source: Kenya Today
Summary
BY KT Team A fraud prosecution involving Nairobi businessman Barnabas Kiprop Bwabok has sparked fresh questions about courtroom transparency after a hearing reportedly proceeded behind closed doors, shutting journalists out of proceedings in a case attracting public interest. The controversy surrounding businessman Barnabas Kiprop Bwabok has taken a troubling turn following reports that journalists were excluded from proceedings at the Milimani Law Courts on Friday, October 9, 2026, as his KSh14.9 million fraud case moved into a closed-door hearing. The development raises a fundamental question about the administration of justice: why should proceedings in a financial fraud case attracting public attention be conducted away from the scrutiny of journalists and the wider public? Bwabok's prosecution concerns a disputed transaction involving medical kits and millions of shillings. The case previously attracted coverage from Citizen Digital, while the latest report by Daily Trends focuses on the exclusion of the media from the courtroom. Although courts may lawfully restrict public access in particular circumstances, such restrictions demand a clear legal justification. The public has a legitimate interest in understanding why access was limited, who requested the restriction and whether the court formally authorised it. The exclusion of journalists should not be confused with...