Court dismisses quest to halt graft case against MP
The prosecution of Kasarani MP John Chege in a graft related case will go on in spite of his application to have it stopped.
Mr Chege suffered a setback after the High Court declined to grant him orders stopping prosecution, pending hearing and determination of a petition he had filed.
Mr Justice David Majanja said he doubted whether the petition by the MP would be watered down if the trial proceeded.
“I do not perceive that the MP’s duties will be harmed as the criminal process is one contemplated under our law which has sufficient safeguards,” said the judge.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, who had been sued by the MP, was also opposed to granting of the orders.
Through prosecuting counsel Edwin Okello, the DPP said the matter had been in court since last year, hence there were no grounds for issuing the orders.
The MP sought temporary orders to stop his prosecution over three corruption related offences on the grounds that he did not expect a fair trial before the lower court and that he had raised weighty issues of law and procedure.
“The alleged corruption relates to a tender for construction of tuition blocks in Baba Dogo Secondary School in Ruaraka constituency,” said Mr Chege in his affidavit.
The petition will be heard on May 5.