This archive report was first published on 10 July 2020.
On July 10, 2020, a dramatic turn of events unfolded in the life of Sirisia MP John Waluke, who was sentenced to 67 years in prison and ordered to pay a fine of Ksh 727 million for embezzling Government’s Ksh 300 million through a maize scandal.
Enter Moses Nandwale, a 33-year-old ODM aspirant who has offered to bail out Waluke from jail. Nandwale, who aspires to contest against Waluke for the Sirisia Parliamentary seat in the 2022 General Elections, stated that he has been asked repeatedly to help Waluke after his conviction.
‘I do not condone corruption, but my desire is to help everyone, including Waluke,’ Nandwale said while addressing the media. He added that Waluke’s wife had also approached him seeking help.
Nandwale, who once served as an aide to Central Organisation Trade Union Secretary General Francis Atwoli, refuted reports that he was exploiting Waluke’s sentencing to enhance his political agenda.
However, Nandwale declined to divulge the amount of money he would part with to secure Waluke’s release, a decision that has irked a number of Waluke’s supporters who accused him of tormenting the 55-year-old former Kenya Defence Forces personnel.
Waluke is at risk of losing his property if he fails to pay the fine or win an appeal. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has stated that it is ready to put up his property for auction to raise the money.
Waluke’s lawyers have appealed his sentencing and also filed a correspondence to the Speaker of the National Assembly asking him to cushion the legislator against losing his seat if he misses eight sessions in Parliament.
