Waluke Demands Ksh 300M From Govt, Hrs After Leaving Prison

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Sirisia MP John Waluke addresses the media at Parliament Buildings in 2019
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Sirisia Member of Parliament, John Waluke, on Friday, November 18, demanded Ksh300 million from President William Ruto's government.

Waluke, who was released from prison on a Ksh10 million cash bail, accused the government of refusing to pay the debt owed to him.

He insisted that the credit stemmed from a 2004 maize supply deal that prosecutors claim was fake, thus urging the court to deny his prayers.

The Jubilee MP did not indicate whether the money would form part of the Ksh1 billion fine he was asked to pay to secure his long-term freedom, nor would aid him in appealing the case. 

Sirisia MP John Waluke shares a moment with Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni at the Industrial Area Prison in Nairobi on November 2, 2022.
Sirisia MP John Waluke shares a moment with Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni at the Industrial Area Prison in Nairobi on November 2, 2022.
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Waluke appealed his case at the Court of Appeal, seeking to overturn the 67-year jail sentence with an alternative of a Ksh1 billion fine. 

His case was compounded by the High Court upholding the lower court's verdict. Waluke was thrown back into Kamiti Maximum Prison to serve his sentence on Thursday, October 5. 

Waluke was first sentenced on June 25, 2020, alongside Grace Wakhungu, with whom he was accused of defrauding state corporation, National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB), over Ksh297 million.

The Magistrate's Court found the two guilty, ruling that the evidence presented in court was sufficient to convict the two. 

Following his release, a three-judge bench of Court of Appeal, comprising of Justices Asike Makhandia, Grace Ngenye and Sankale ole Kantai will determine his appeal. 

Waluke, however, faces stiff opposition from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Noordin Haji, who asked the appellate court to dismiss the appeal. 

Haji wants the court to uphold the ruling and throw Waluke back to jail.  

"Applicant was properly convicted and sentenced and is, therefore, until the impugned decision is overturned, serving a lawful sentence," Haji stated on Wednesday, November 2. 

Sirisia MP John Waluke and  Grace Wakhungu in court.
Sirisia MP John Waluke and Grace Wakhungu in court.