Last month, the High Court upheld the 67-year jail term imposed on Sirisia MP John Waluke by the Anti-Corruption Court two years ago.
On Thursday, October 6, High Court Judge Esther Maina ordered Waluke to pay a KSh1 billion fine or serve 67 years in jail for fraud.
However, speaking during the burial ceremony of the mother of Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa on Monday, October 31, ODM leader Raila Odinga called for the release of the legislator.
The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition party presidential flag bearer faulted the Judiciary for slapping Waluke 67 years in jail saying the sentence was unfair.
He said the charges facing Waluke were civil and did not call for punitive punishment hence the legislator should be granted bail.
“Sirisia MP John Waluke’s case was more of a civil matter because he had claimed some payment and was paid. Instead of telling him to return the money paid irregularly you sentence him to 67 years in jail. Is it fair?” Raila posed.
Raila was surprised by the action of the public prosecutor’s office to dismiss the cases facing President William Ruto’s cronies while those of the opposition wing were given harsh sentences.
“We are seeing some people who were facing murder charges being freed. Some have active murder cases but they have been allowed to serve in the Cabinet. They are also saying the other one who was facing KSh 12 billion graft case is innocent but on the other hand, our people are being punished,” Raila said.
Waluke and former Environment Cabinet Secretary Judy Wakhungu were in June 2020, found guilty of defrauding the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) KSh 297 million.
On Friday, October 7, the legislator surrendered himself to the Milimani Law Courts where he officially began his 67-year jail term after failing to raise KSh 1 billion fine.
