A Nairobi Member of County Assembly (MCA) is staring at a possible jail term should he be found guilty of illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition.
Nairobi County Assembly Minority Whip, Peter Imwatok, was found in possession of a firearm and ammunition without a firearm certificate.
Appearing before Milimani Senior Resident Magistrate, Carolyne Muthoni Njagi, Imwatok was found with a case to answer following testimonies from witnesses presented by the state prosecutor, Winnie Moraa.
According to the court papers, The Makongeni Ward MCA, was in possession of the firearm contrary to Section 4(3)(b) of the Firearms Act Cap 114 Laws of Kenya.
Section 2(a) of the Firearms Act, 2012 states: "If any person purchases, acquires or has in his possession any firearm or ammunition without holding a firearm certificate in force at the time, or otherwise than as authorised by a certificate, they commit an offence liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than five, but not exceeding ten years."
The city MCA denied all the four counts leveled against him which include illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition and forging a firearms certificate.
The state prosecutor told the court that she has enough evidence to get a conviction of the MCA.
The Makongeni MCA will know his fate on August 24, 2021, when a judgment on the case will be pronounced.
“Upon receiving all the defence submissions, I will make my pronouncement on August 24, 2021 in open court,” the presiding Magistrate stated.
In June 2020, Imwatok was charged in court for obtaining money under false pretense.
According to court documents, Imwatok was said to have obtained approximately Ksh2.19 million from Fresky Bett in 2017 between February 1 and October 31.
He denied the charges and was set free on bond.
