UPDATE Thursday, July 2: Sirisia Member of Parliament John Walukhe appealed his 10-year jail term in the Ksh.297 million National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) graft case.
Walukhe argued that Chief Magistrate Elizabeth Juma had erred in law and fact during his trial.
Residents of Sirisia on Thursday, July 2 staged protests over the sentencing of their area Member of Parliament John Walukhe.
The protestors claimed that their livelihoods have been affected since Walukhe was jailed following a Ksh.297 million National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) graft case.
The residents hope that an appeal is set to be filed by Walukhe's lawyers will hand him a chance to serve his constituents until his term comes to an end in 2022.
The residents also claimed that the sentencing was too harsh on the MP with a number of corrupt government officials still walking scot-free.
The protestors urged President Uhuru Kenyatta to intervene and let Walukhe continue serving them with others claiming that some of the MP's projects have stalled.
"Since he was arrested, we have really suffered, we are crying for justice, we urge President Uhuru Kenyatta to let our MP continue serving his people," voiced one of the protestors.
"Projects that were ongoing have been stopped, he was building houses which have now been halted," noted one woman.
Another resident claimed that roads and schools that were being contracted have been stopped due to contractors complaining of lack of money.
On Thursday, June 25, Milimani Law Courts fined Walukhe and co-accused Grace Wakhungu Ksh727 million and Ksh707 million respectively, or serve 10 years in jail each upon.
In her ruling, Chief Magistrate Elizabeth Juma issued fines of varying amounts to the accused with the highest being a fine of Ksh594,175,000 or a jail sentence of seven years on the third count.
Juma ordered that the conviction for Waluke be served to the speaker of the National Assembly and the Public Service Commission (PSC).
The MP stands to lose his seat should he serve more than six months in prison in accordance with the Kenyan constitution.
MASAIBU YA WALUKE
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) July 2, 2020
Wenyeji wafanya maandamano kumtetea mbunge wa Sirisia
Wakaazi wazua tetesi wakidai Waluke amepewa hukumu kali #SemaNaCitizen pic.twitter.com/io4AfpGh8u
