Photos of Sirisia member of parliament John Waluke receiving his nomination certificate as a member of the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) at the Industrial Remand Prisons sparked a debate from a section of Kenyans.
Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni who visited Waluke on Wednesday, November 2, in the facility was captured handing over the certificate to him under the watch of a prison warden.
The embattled Sirisia legislator was dressed in civilian clothes and appeared rather relaxed as they chatted with the party's secretary general.
He is currently serving a 67-year jail term after he was convicted over involvement in a Ksh2 billion maize scandal. Nonetheless, Waluke appealed against his conviction at the Court of Appeal.
The photos, which have since gone viral, became the subject of debate as some questioned the freedom enjoyed by the MP despite his conviction.
Human rights activist Boniface Mwangi, who cited his previous experience in prison, cast his doubts on whether Waluke was serving the jail sentence.
Mwangi noted that inmates are forced to have their hair cut and are always dressed in prison uniform, contrary to the well-groomed Waluke who was in his signature hairstyle.
“John Waluke was given a 67-year jail term. He is pictured here in prison and l highly doubt he is in jail. I have been in prison before, the moment they jail you, your hair goes and they give you a prison uniform. Is he really in jail? Boniface Mwangi posed on Twitter.
Another social media user questioned the move by Jubilee Party to nominate Waluke notwithstanding his conviction.
"Not just nominating someone accused of fraud and currently serving a jail term, Jubilee party, through SG Jeremiah Kioni, decided to deliver the nomination letter to Sirisia MP Walukhe in prison," a user identified as Abuya Abuya noted.
“Sirisia MP John Waluke received his nomination letter to serve in the powerful Parliamentary Service Commission while in prison. Jubilee Party led by SG Jeremiah Kioni must be joking. Like, how?" another user posed.
Calls to seek a comment from the Jubilee Party Secretary General went unanswered.
On Wednesday, November 2, Waluke's appeal was dealt a blow after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) urged the court to reject his application for bail.
This amid pressure from a section of leaders allied to the Azimio la Umoja Coalition to have Waluke acquitted.
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