DPP Noordin Haji has refuted a report published by the People Daily alleging that the High court had secretly released Sirisia MP and DP Ruto’s ally John Waluke from jail.
Haji while speaking with Kenyan bulletin dismissed the report, reiterating that Waluke was still in detention pending a bail hearing set on 7th August 2020.
“He (Waluke) is still in prison and has not been released. His bail hearing is set for August 7,” Haji stated.
The People Daily had reported that Waluke was released on bond while his co-accused, Grace Wakhungu’s plea to be handed a similar verdict was declined.
The High Court had jailed MP John Waluke 67 years and ordered to pay a fine of Ksh727 million while co-accused Grace Wakhungu was sentenced to 69 years and directed to pay a Ksh 707 million fine after being found guilty stealing Ksh 300 million taxpayers money through a maize scandal.
However, the legal teams representing the two convicts filed an appeal at the High Court to have the ruling quashed.
Last month, July, DPP Haji warned that he would launch an investigation into anyone who offers to pay Waluke’s and co-accused Grace Wakhungu’s Ksh 1 billion fine to secure their release.
“If Waluke and co-accused seek to pay the fine, we will also question where that money is coming from. We can’t allow people to bring proceeds of crime to help another criminal,” Haji stated.
On Wednesday, July 22, the High Court dismissed the appeal presented by Grace Wakhungu’s lawyer, Senior Counsel Paul Muite, to have her released on medical grounds.
State Prosecutor Alexander Muteti differed Lawyer Paul Muite stating that prisons were well equipped to fight the spread of Covid-19.
Justice John Onyiengo declined to release Wakhungu, ruling that the bail hearing would be heard on August 7.
