Zimbabwe has petitioned Kenya to arrest and deport a wanted political fugitive who was a key ally to the late former President Robert Mugabe despite Kenyan authorities refuting reports of sheltering the politician.

Jonathan Moyo is believed to have been behind the plot to install Mugabe's wife Grace Mugabe as Zimbabwean President.

The country wants the former Higher Education Minister extradited for allegedly embezzling $400,000 (Ksh 42 million). Moyo fled Zimbabwe in 2017 after incumbent President Emmerson Mnangagwa ascended to power through a bloodless coup.

Zimbabwe also accused Moyo of orchestrating revolts against Mnangagwa while hiding in Kenya. "We take note and welcome the prosecutor general's efforts for the extradition of Professor Jonathan Moyo from Kenya as he is the figment of the external demonisation of our leadership and extorting mass uprising in the country," Zanu PF secretary for administration Obert Mpofu stated in early July 2020.

However, Moyo had argued that the Ksh42 million fraud case in Zimbabwe was politically instigated.

He also added that his life was in danger, accusing the authorities in his native country of plotting to assassinate him, a perspective his compatriots refuted.

"Zimbabwe does not assassinate people. We believe in our criminal justice system and we believe everyone should be prosecuted fairly," Zimbabwean Government Spokesperson Ndabaningi Mangwana stated.

Moyo once resided in Kenya and served at a firm that accused him of embezzling funds.

He was also embroiled in a Ksh600 million scandal while working for another private organisation. The money was meant to uplift a Nairobi-based Non-Governmental Organisation dubbed Series on Alternative Research in East Africa Trust.
https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/55133-zimbabwe-petitions-kenya-over-wanted-mugabe-era-fugitive