Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's cousin Jakoyo Midiwo on Tuesday, February 25, is no longer a respondent in a court battle in Kisumu thanks to a mistake contained in the suit papers.
According to a report by People Daily, the Gem MP was arraigned in court to answer to charges after he was accused of failure to remit Tourism Fund levy for Miriam House Hotel, in Kisumu.
In a rather abrupt turn of events, the former lawmaker, however, did not take plea after his name got struck off the charge sheet.
Chief Magistrate Peter Gesora pointed out that Midiwo had been included in the charge sheet as the first person to be accused but it turned out he wasn't listed as one of the hotel's directors.
“I, therefore, expunge the 1st accused name from the charge sheet and summon the duo to appear in court for plea taking on March 30,” ordered Gesora.
Others who had been accused alongside the former legislator include Judith Akinyi and Beatrice Muganda.
This came months after another hotel associated with him, TLC Bar and Restaurant, was demolished on the night of Wednesday, August 14, 2019.
The hotel was brought down reportedly after Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) cancelled the lease..
The County Government of Kisumu, at the time, refuted claims that Raila had ordered for its demolition.
“The county has nothing to do with the demolitions, nor does Raila and the governor.
“The land has several controversies and there has been a tussle between Jakoyo and Kenya Railways,” Atieno Otieno, Kisumu County Director refuted while speaking with Kenyans.co.ke on phone at the time.
