The government prosecutor charged with handling the graft case tabled against Kiambu Governor, Ferdinand Waititu, has moved to challenge the legality of his salary.
Speaking in court on Monday, Prosecutor Alexander Muteti argued that the governor was only liable to receive half of his pay until his case was concluded.
The embattled governor had moved to court seeking to have the orders barring him from his office reviewed, Citizen Digital reported.
“We ask the court to remove the limitation for Waititu barring his access to office as he remains innocent until proven guilty. It's worrying that a charge has become a presumption of guilt in this country, ” the governor's lawyer, Tom Ojienda, stated.
Waititu also tabled his issue with the cash bail of Ksh15 million and Ksh30 million bond he was slapped with, terming it as over the top.
“There is fragrant abuse of discretion by the lower court. It is no longer clear what guides courts in granting bond or the option of cash bail,” Ojienda asserted.
However, the prosecution, in the Ksh588 million graft case against the embattled governor, maintained that following the ruling, Waititu should only receive 50 per cent of his salary as he could no longer execute his full mandate.
The prosecution also moved to have the governor's bail terms reviewed, maintaining that serious offences attracted serious sanctions.
Kiambu Deputy Governor, James Nyoro, announced that he had taken charge of operations of the county, a move which the governor and his legal team have stated to be illegal.
Justice Grace Ngenye announced that she would make her ruling regarding the review of the order barring the governor from office, on August 8, 2019.
