Sirisia MP John Waluke was recently arrested so that he could serve his 67-year jail term over fraud at the National Cereals and Produce Board.
Waluke surrendered himself at the Milimani courts so that he could be transferred to jail after his appeal against the lengthy jail term failed to bear fruits.
Activist and Busia senator Okiya Omtata however says that the Sirisia lawmaker could be a free man today if he had stuck with President William Ruto and supported him in August’s general elections, judging from how his allies are walking scot-free from their various court cases.
“I am even persuaded that if Waluke stuck with Kenya Kwanza, he would be out of jail but because he went to the other side, the law has been allowed to run its course,” the senator told a local TV station.
Omtata also noted that cases against Ruto’s allies, especially those seeking Cabinet Secretary and Principal Secretary positions, are being dropped so that they can have an easy time when they go to parliament for vetting.
Waluke was Ruto’s supporter until mid-March when he joined Azimio la Umoja and decided to defend his seat on a Jubilee ticket.
Explaining why he made the decision, he said that he could not work with former Bungoma senator Moses Wetang’ula.
Meanwhile, a section of western Kenya lawmakers appealed to Ruto to pardon Waluke so that he can be released.
“This has never happened in Kenya’s history. No one has ever been arrested and asked to give a fine of Ksh.1 billion. This is the first time. We as leaders of Western Kenya are not going to stand for this and we are telling President William Ruto to please release Waluke. We love you and we have accepted that you are our president so just release him,” Mumias East MP Peter Salasya told the press while at parliament buildings on Thursday.
Waluke was found guilty of defrauding NCPB Kshs297 million. To secure his freedom and MP seat, he is required to pay a fine of Kshs1 billion.
RELATED STORY: Secret Behind The Rapid Withdrawal Of Court Cases Facing President Ruto’s Allies
