Police have launched a manhunt for Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa after she went into hiding on Friday, August 28, owing to a directive issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Haji.
Haji had ordered the arrest of the rebel ODM MP over misappropriation of Ksh 19 million funds slated for the Community Development Fund (CDF).
"I direct that the above suspects be apprehended and arraigned in court to face the below listed charges under the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act No. 3 of 2003 and the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act. No. 9 of 2009," read part of the statement.
DCI sleuths in Malindi are tracking the legislator's whereabouts after she failed to present herself at a police station in Mombasa.
Jumwa also failed to take a plea at a Mombasa Court as six of her co-accusers pleaded not guilty to the charges mentioned.
Her lawyer Danstan Omari argued that the DCI had not presented documents directing Jumwa to present herself in court as ordered by the DPP.
"Whenever my client is accused of any crime, the state usually calls us and directs us on how to proceed. This time around, our phones were silent. They never called us," Omari stated.
The six co-accused were released on a cash bail of Ksh 5 million or a Ksh 10 million bond.
Their lawyers, however, filed an appeal for the reduction of the fines with the judge adjourning the case till Monday, August 31.
She also directed Jumwa to present herself in court on the same day after surrendering to a police station in Mombasa on the weekend.
Jumwa joins Migori Governor Okoth Obado who was arrested on Wednesday, August 26, his Nairobi counterpart Mike Sonko and former Governor Evans Kidero in the dock.
