MP Waluke Paid Fines for Dozens of Cellmates

a
Sirisia MP John Waluke and Grace Wakhungu in court in June 2020
File

Sirisia MP John Waluke warmed himself into the hearts of 57 inmates at Kamiti prisons after settling their fines.

The lawmaker disclosed that he decided to pay the fines largely because he was at a position where he could comfortably pay the bills.

He also noted that he was saddened after discovering that some of the inmates were serving time because they could not raise fines as little as Ksh 1,000.

"I did it in my own capacity as a legislator because I could afford it.

Sirisai MP John Waluke, and Grace Wakhungu in court on Thursday, June 25.
Sirisia MP John Waluke, and Grace Wakhungu in court on Thursday, June 25.

"There are a number of prisoners who have been suffering for more than a year for failing to raise Ksh1,000," stated Waluke according to Daily Nation.

The MP made the payment on Monday, September 28, the same day he was freed from the prison on a Ksh10 million cash bail or an alternative Ksh20 million bond.

Waluke had spent four months behind bars since he was sentenced to 67 years in prison or pay a fine of Sh707 million in connection with Ksh297 million maize scandal.

He was sentenced alongside Grace Wakhungu after they were found guilty of irregularly receiving Ksh300 million from the National Cereals and Produce Board in 2004.

In August, the family of Waluke managed to raise Ksh250 million towards settling the fine before the court reviewed his bail appeal.

Waluke's decision to settle fines for other inmates came barely two weeks after Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi on Monday, September 14, spent Ksh 300,000 on cellmates at Nakuru Police Station.

The lawmaker paid fines and bail for remandees after they were unable to raise money to cater for the charges and also bought cellmates mattresses and jackets. 

Sudi was arrested after being accused of hate speech and incitement.

Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi at Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi on October 2016 where he was faced with three counts of forging his academic certificates.
Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi at Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi on October 2016 where he was faced with three counts of forging his academic certificates.
Daily Nation
  • . . .