Sirisia Member of Parliament, John Waluke, has been blocked from travelling to the United States of America for a parliamentary event.
The decision to block his much anticipated travel was pegged on a series of court cases in Kenya.
Through a court ruling delivered on Thursday, October 28, the vocal MP was barred from travel as the court refused to release his passport.
While making the ruling on the application filed by Waluke, Justice Esther Maina described him as a convict and cannot be allowed to travel outside the country.
According to US entry requirements and customs, one cannot be allowed to enter the country without a valid passport and a visa. This means Waluke, despite his position as an elected representative stands blocked from travelling to US.
Troubles for the lawmaker started when he was convicted alongside his business partner, Grace Wakhungu, by the Anti-Corruption Court for the theft of Ksh297 million from the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB).
The court imposed a combined fine of Ksh2 billion for both. The court had handed Wakhungu a 39-year sentence while the Sirisia MP was slapped with a 34-year jail term.
However, in September 2020, the two were handed reprieve after a High Court in Nairobi granted them bond pending the hearing and determination of their filed appeals.
Waluke paid Ksh10 million cash bail. Wakhungu on the other hand was ordered to pay Ksh20 million cash bail or an alternative Ksh30 million bond in order to be released to await the hearing of the appeal.
Among their release conditions, the two were directed to hand in their passports which meant they could not travel outside the country.
The other conditions required them to report to the High Court's deputy register every month.
Now months down the line, the ruling has come to haunt Waluke as he will have to abide by the court's decision.
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