JUDGE DEALS BLOW TO SENATOR JAMES ORENGO

Senators and MPs who are lawyers have been barred from representing government officials facing graft cases, according to a landmark ruling delivered by Mombasa High Court.

Other than the legislators, State officials who are also practising law will also not appear for their colleagues equally charged with economic crimes.

Justice Erick Ogola said it was unfortunate that State officers facing economic crimes were being driven in government vehicles to courts and represented by their colleagues.

Ogola made the ruling following an application by State counsel Alexander Muteti seeking to bar Siaya Senator James Orengo from representing Daniel Manduku, the former Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) managing director.

“Granted that the senator is entitled to pursue private gain, what perception does the public get when the accused person who is charged with economic crimes has, as his counsel, a senator, a State officer driven to court in a motor vehicle bought by the public?” posed Justice Ogola.

By Standard Digital