Why Kenyans Online Are Angry With Senator James Orengo

Kenyans online on Friday expressed their disappointment in Siaya Senator James Orengo.

Netizens admonished the Senator for representing Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong in a corruption case.

Ojaamong's legal team which comprised of Orengo and Stephen Ligunya sparked outrage with online users accusing the Senator of conflict of interest for representing a county official whose operations he should be overseeing.

Outspoken cleric Timothy Njoya expressed his disappointment tweeting: “Today I fail 2 understand the kind of Jurisprudence by which Kenya lawyers, who have been leading demonstrators to fight against corruption, can rationalize defending those accused of corruption.

[caption caption="Senator Orengo consulting with his client Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong"][/caption]

The retired cleric added: "Orengo who has been my comrade in many demonstrations is defending the Busia Governor.”

His tweet prompted a response from former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga who told Rev Njoya’s question raises moral concerns that only Orengo could address.

Dr Mutunga wrote: “1; Consider that the accused governor is “presumed innocent until the contrary is proved” (Article 50(2)(a); the right “to choose, and be represented by an advocate…”(Article 50(2)(g) as part of our Jurisprudence on criminal justice, therefore…"

The former CJ added: "2: You are raising a moral, ideological, and political question which only Orengo can answer you. He may not have considered the issues…but I wonder…"

He defended the Siaya Senator noting that although he was a Senator he also is a practicing lawyer.

[caption caption="Siaya Senator James Orengo"][/caption]

“3: We realize the argument is a double-edged sword that cuts both angels and the disciples of the devil…should we not just stay on the constitutional rights discourse on the issue…and 4: I was once asked why I defended bank robbers as it was morally reprehensible? I realized the questioner didn’t realize that banks, in the eyes of robbers, are robbers, too. I told him I didn’t have a “dog” in that fight…implying I defended the weak… but you are…5: To start a moral debate lawyers avoid; let’s see how the debate on #openClient’s Accounts pans in the ongoing “war” on corruption,” Dr Mutunga wrote.

Kenyans on Twitter who joined in the discussion maintained that Senator Orengo should not have taken the governor on as his client.

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