Azimio La Umoja party leader, Raila Odinga, exuded confidence in jailed Sirisia Member of Parliament, John Waluke, serving in the powerful Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC).
Waluke was listed alongside Nyamira Senator Okong’o Omogeni (ODM) and Mavoko MP Patrick Makau (Wiper) in Azimio's list.
Despite serving a 67-year sentence, the MP received the major backing of Raila and former President Uhuru Kenyatta's Jubilee Party.
Raila, while speaking at a burial in Kakamega on Monday, October 31, urged the Judiciary to release Waluke, who he lamented was of old age and jailing him for 67 years was unfair.
"How can you condemn a 55-year-old to 67 years imprisonment? That is akin to jailing Raila for 50 years, is that fair? We want Waluke to be granted bond immediately," the former Prime Minister demanded.
Waluke, a few days before making it to the list, was confident of securing a seat in PSC chaired by the National Speaker, Moses Wetangula.
"It is me who has been endorsed by the three Azimio party leaders, and I trust that has not changed. I was supposed to get the nomination letter today because Honorable Junet Mohamed was instructed by Honorable Raila Odinga to give the letter to me.
“Even the former President Uhuru Kenyatta endorsed me, and I am sure that is still his position," Waluke stated.
If his nomination sails through, Waluke will be tasked with ensuring Parliament's efficient and effective running, constituting offices in the parliamentary service and appointing and supervising office holders.
In the Kenya Kwanza Alliance, UDA fronted MPs Faith Gitau (Nyandarua) and Mohamed Ali (Nyali) from the National Assembly and Senators Joyce Korir (nominated) and John Kinyua (Laikipia).
Meanwhile, on October 6, High Court Justice Esther Maina dismissed an appeal on Waluke's conviction and sentencing. The MP wants the ruling that slapped him with a 67-year jail term with an alternative of a Ksh700 million fine reverted.
The MP further appealed the case at the Court of Appeal with his lawyers arguing that his sojourn in prison robbed Sirisia voters of a chance to be represented in Parliament.
"There is clear and present danger that if this application is not heard and determined in a timely manner, the applicant will miss Parliamentary sessions, leading to loss of his seat or failure of representation of the people of Sirisia Constituency in the National Assembly,” the court heard.
