Two Members of Parliament (MPs) from Bungoma County are in trouble for misusing military titles.
Sirisia MP John Waluke and his Kimilili counterpart Didmus Barasa face arrest and prosecution for impersonating Kenya Defence Forces officers.
The Ethic and Anti-Corruption Commission accused the duo of using titles of Major (rtd) and Captain respectively even though they left the forces.
In a letter to the National Assembly, EACC has cautioned the two lawmakers against misusing and misinterpreting the military titles.
The letter is copied to National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, Clerk Michael Sialai as well as Chief of Defence Forces General Robert Kibochi.
EACC boss Twalib Mbarak warned the lawmakers that the continued use of the titles is a criminal offence under the Penal Code and Leadership and Integrity Act.
Mbaraka said that the two MPs left the military as private soldiers before attaining the titles that they are using
“This is one of the unfortunate cases of senior State officials impersonating as former senior military officers when they know very well that they never attained those titles. The action is a criminal offense under the Penal Code and the perpetrators are liable for prosecution,” Mbarak told People Daily newspaper.
Barasa claimed to have served in the Kenya Armed Forces from 2001-2007 as a Captain attached to the technical wing, however according to EACC, he only served for one year and 76 days before he was relieved off his duties over absenteeism and forgery.
Barasa is said to have used a fake documents to access a credit facility.
“That you served in the Kenya Defense Forces for a period of one year and 76 between October 28, 2007 to February 26, 2009. That upon separation of service you had only attained the rank of Private. That you left the military upon dismissal on disciplinary grounds,” said the EACC in a letter addressed to Barasa, Muturi, Kibochi and Sialai.
Barasa graduated in May 2008 and then proceeded to the Kenya Defense Technical College at the Laikipia Airbase in Nanyuki.
“The commission hereby warns you against giving false information and misleading the public. You are advised to forthwith cease and desist representing yourself using the KDF military rank of Captain (Rtd). Please note that this violation has been entered into the commission’s database,” the letter further read.
Waluke on his side joined the military on April 15, 1980, and was deployed to the 76 Armored Reece Battalion in Gilgil.
He served as a tank loader before becoming a driver at the military headquarters in Nairobi.
After 14 years of service and having attained the rank of Senior Private (SPTE) his request to leave the army was approved on compassionate grounds.
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