This archive report was first published on 12 July 2021.
Siaya Senator James Orengo has been at the center of a controversy surrounding his representation of former Transport Cabinet Secretary Michael Kamau in a graft case. The case dates back to 2011 and 2014.
On July 12, 2021, Orengo opposed an application by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) seeking to bar him from representing Kamau in the graft case.
According to Orengo, claims by DPP Haji of conflict of interest due to his role as a Senate Minority leader and representation of Kamau in the graft case are not factual. He argued that the prosecution has not set out the alleged facts that demonstrate the said conflict of interest.
Orengo further stated that the charges facing Kamau have never been subject to the Senate's oversight role and that the Senate's oversight role is not exercised retrospectively.
He also clarified that he is not a member of Parliament's Public Investment and Public Accounts Committees, and that suggestions that the charges against Kamau would be subject to the said committees are false, speculative, and hypothetical.
On the other hand, DPP Haji argued that the continued representation of Kamau by Senator Orengo in the trial raises questions of conflict of interest and violation of Chapter 6 of the Constitution.
“Sen James Aggrey Bob Orengo S.C be barred from continuing to act for Michael Sistu Mwaura Kamau in ACC no 7/2018 pending before the Chief Magistrate Anti-corruption Court,” Haji urged the court.
