Kibra Member of Parliament Peter Orero has issued an apology to Kenyans hours after his driver was fined for violating traffic rules following a road rage incident which went viral last week.
Orero courted controversy after a widely-shared clip showed him and his driver, George Oduor, hurling expletives at CNN journalist Larry Madowo, who impeded the lawmaker's car from driving on the wrong side.
In the wake of the controversy, Orero addressed Kibra residents and reiterated that he was a law-abiding citizen and the incident was an isolated one.
“We are law-abiding citizens. My driver and I acknowledged our mistake of overlapping and driving on the wrong side of the road,” he said at the event which was also attended by Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi.
He added, "My driver has already paid the price, he was fined and has been released. He has also learnt his lesson."
The MP also admitted that his driver was in the wrong as he stressed on the importance of following traffic rules.
On Monday, the MP's driver was arraigned in court where he pleaded guilty to the offence as he begged for leniency.
However, Magistrate Rose Ndombi imposed a hefty fine on the driver after prosecution pushed for a maximum sentence for the offence.
The National Police Service (NPS) also later condemned incidents of individuals claiming VIP privileges only to obstruct traffic and flout rules.
In the wake of the driver's punishment by court, questions were also raised on why Orero did not face any legal repercussions, particularly because he was also caught on video next to his driver during the viral incident.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has since clarified that after reviewing all the evidence presented, there was no indication that the driver acted on instructions from the lawmaker or any other party.
"Regarding this matter, it is important to clarify that the available evidence does not demonstrate that the driver acted on anyone's instructions or orders," ODPP's said on Monday.
According to ODPP, without concrete evidence of complicity, such as direct orders from Orero to his driver to overlap, it was impossible for charges to be filed against the Kibra lawmaker.
