A US businessman who accused CORD leader Raila Odinga and other politicians of threatening him could face action for failing to appear before the National Assembly.
Speaker Justin Muturi on Thursday directed that Dominion Farms chief executive Calvin Burgess be compelled to present himself before the Agriculture Committee to discuss the threats issue.
Mr Burgess, whose firm is Nyanza’s largest agriculture investor, on Wednesday claimed that he had received extortion, violence and eviction threats after he declined to finance Odinga’s ODM party.
The businessman had earlier on been summoned by the Committee to divulge on the allegations but instead sent a letter to the House explaining that the matter was in court.
In a rejoinder, Speaker Muturi ordered that the investor should honour the summon to explain his situation and not send a missive.
“If a person has been invited to appear before the committee, the person must first appear and say whether that matter is subjudice. When people are summoned or invited, they must appear and not write letters,” he directed.
The US investor now risks being sanctioned if he still fails to appear before the Agriculture Committee.
Following Burgess allegations, Nyanza leaders including Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo and Kisumu Deputy Governor Ruth Odinga have accused the businessman of looking for an excuse to close his firm which they said was collapsing.
The leaders claimed that the Burgess had failed to honour an agreement between his company and the now defunct Siaya and Bondo Municipal Councils, adding that the firm was also not paying its staff.
Read Also: Odinga Threatened Me After I Declined to Fund His Party - Dominion CEO Calvin Burgess Claims
