Embattled Member of Parliament (MP) for Kimilili Didmus Barasa has sought the services of Senior Counsel John Khaminwa.
Didmus Barasa hires Senior Counsel Khaminwa as lawyer
85-year-old John Khaminwa is highly respected by his peers.
Recommended articles
A manhunt was launched for the Kimilili MP following reports that he shot and murdered Brian Olunga, the bodyguard of MP aspirant Brian Khaemba.
Barasa is believed to have fled to neighbouring Uganda following the incident that happened at Chebukwabi polling station on Tuesday, August 9.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Thursday, August 11 ordered Barasa to surrender to the nearest police station within a six-hour time frame.
Khaminwa on the other hand through Khaminwa & Khaminwa advocates filed an application on behalf of the MP for a bail pending arrest.
According to the long time human rights activist and attorney, once the bail has been approved by a judge, the law firm will provide information on the client's next steps.
"As soon as the application is heard and appropriate orders are made, you will be advised accordingly by the said law firm," read a letter in part addressed to the DCI.
Barasa wins election but is denied certificate
Khaminwa's bail application comes just hours after Barasa who was vying on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party ticket was announced as the winner of the Kimilili MP race beating Khaemba of the Democratic Action Party with 26,861 to 9,497 votes respectively.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) however, withheld the election certificate belonging to Barasa.
IEBC Kimilili Returning Officer George Omondi turned away an agent who said he was sent to receive the certificate on Thursday.
Omondi said that the election certificate could only be handed over to the MP who must appear physically at the Kimilili tallying centre.
On Wednesday, IEBC chair Wafula Chebukati said that the matter was outside the commission’s hands and would leave investigative authorities to handle it. He explained that the commission would only be involved if the MP is convicted.
“That is a matter for the police and I believe the law will take its course because the commission does not deal with those kinds of cases. Our officers on the ground will be witnesses and as far as the law goes, until that time an individual is convicted, the commission will not want to interfere with the criminal investigation,” Chebukati said.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: news@pulselive.co.ke