Kenyan running mate loses $1.7m to state over fraud

A court determined that the money held in four accounts at a local bank was made up of the proceeds of corruption, costing William Ruto's running mate $1.7 million (£1.4 million). Ruto is the leading candidate for president of Kenya.

Rigathi Gachagua was found to have received the funds from government organizations, but there was no proof that he had contributed anything, according to Justice Esther Maina.

The verdict "did not come as a surprise," according to Mr Gachagua, who responded on Twitter, adding it was "meant to harm my candidacy in the upcoming elections."

The judge, he claimed, "was predisposed against us right from the start and threw caution to the wind by holding a sham trial."

He added:" I have instructed my lawyers to immediately file an appeal... to stay the orders and set aside the judgement."

The lawsuit was initiated by the Assets Recovery Agency - a state body mandated to confiscate proceeds of crime.

Kenyans will be electing a new president on 9 August.

Deputy President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga are the two leading candidates.