ODM Responds to Steve Ogolla Representing Chebukati in Raila Case

An image of Sifuna
ODM party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna speaking at a past event.
ODM Party

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna on Wednesday, February 1, dismissed a move by city lawyer Steve Ogolla to represent former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson Wafula Chebukati. 

In a statement, Sifuna claimed that Ogolla took the case owing to the brand and subject of the case, which is Azimio leader Raila Odinga. 

He alleged that the city lawyer's outcome of the case would only be a huge payday. 

A photo of City lawyer Steve Ogolla at a past press briefing.
A photo of City lawyer Steve Ogolla at a past press briefing.
File

"All Steve Ogolla is doing is what lawyers do best. Helping Chebukati spend that hefty retirement package he received from the taxpayer. Save for legal fees, nothing else will come from that legal adventure.

"Lawyers charge fees based on the value of the subject matter. In Steve Ogolla’s case, the subject matter is Raila Odinga. You will struggle to find a more valuable subject matter. Let Steve make that paper," Sifuna, a seasoned lawyer who owns Watenya Sifuna and Company Advocates, opined. 

Ogolla has been trending for the better part of the day after he wrote a demand letter to the former prime minister over his claims that three former commissioners visited his house. 

In the letter, Chebukati gave Raila seven days to produce the CCTV footage to prove his claims, failure to which he would take legal action.  

"Our instructions are to demand from you, as of right, which we hereby do, to be furnished with the alleged video footage within seven days from the date hereof.

"Kindly take notice that if we do not receive the video footage demanded hereinabove, within the Demand Period, we shall be constrained to institute appropriate adverse but lawful proceedings against you," the statement read in part. 

According to the letter, Chebukati was aggrieved that the ODM leader did not exercise any caution while making the remarks during the Jacaranda rally held on Sunday, January 29. 

"Further, our Client is aggrieved that you took no caution or responsibility while making the adverse remarks with the consequence that our Client has suffered and continues to suffer serious reputational injury, taking into account his status and position as former Chairman of IEBC," the statement read in part. 

Raila's remarks caught the attention of President William Ruto who wondered why the former Prime Minister did not produce the video evidence at the Supreme Court. 

"You had an opportunity to bring up this claim of alleged bribery before the seven judges of the Supreme Court and you did not. You chose to announce it at a political rally,” Ruto stated during the Africa Prosecutors Association conference in Mombasa

President William Ruto chairing a cabinet meeting at State House on January 31, 2023.
President William Ruto chairing a cabinet meeting at State House on January 31, 2023.
William Ruto