By Humphrey Malalo
NAIROBI (Reuters) - A Kenyan magistrate's court has charged Lands Minister Charity Kaluki Ngilu with obstructing an investigation into fraudulent land transactions, the deputy director of public prosecutions said on Friday.
Ngilu, a close ally of President Uhuru Kenyatta, pleaded not guilty. She was released on a cash bail of 1 million shillings.
The charges came three months after the president ordered a crackdown on corruption.
Kenyatta had said he would make the fight against graft a priority, but critics say he has failed to root out corrupt officials in a nation where corruption is seen as a major obstacle to business, law enforcement and provision of public services.
In March, following a report by Kenya's anti-corruption watchdog, Kenyatta suspended dozens of senior officials, including Ngilu.
"Kenya's land minister was charged alongside other suspects after a magistrate found there was not enough evidence to separate the charges facing suspended minister," Jacob Ondari, deputy director of public prosecutions, told Reuters.
(Reporting by Humphrey Malalo; Editing by George Obulutsa/Jeremy Gaunt)
