Kibra MP Peter Orero has escaped legal accountability in a traffic offense that saw his driver fined for dangerous overtaking—and Kenyans are rightly furious. The incident, caught on camera by CNN journalist Larry Madowo, showed Orero’s vehicle blatantly breaking traffic laws, with both the MP and his driver hurling insults instead of showing remorse.
While the driver faced the law, Orero conveniently walked away unscathed. His escape exposes the deep rot of political privilege and raises hard questions about justice, ethics, and leadership in Kenya.
ODPP Explains Why MP Orero Was Not Charged
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) attempted to calm public outrage on Monday, October 13, by explaining why Kibra MP Peter Orero was not charged in connection with the viral traffic offence.
In its statement, the ODPP said the evidence did not show that the driver, George Oduor, acted on instructions from the MP. “The available evidence does not demonstrate that the driver acted on anyone’s orders,” the ODPP claimed.
However, that explanation failed to convince many Kenyans. Orero was clearly present in the front seat when the dangerous overtaking occurred. He even joined his driver in taunting journalist Larry Madowo with the now-infamous phrase “Pelekea Ruto.” Such behavior raises the question—if the driver was fined for a crime committed under Orero’s watch, why was the lawmaker spared?
Footage from the October 9 incident along Oloitoktok Road showed the black SUV aggressively overtaking on the wrong side, obstructing traffic, and showing blatant disregard for the law. The MP’s silence in court, coupled with his visible participation in the exchange, suggests complicity, not innocence.
Orero’s Silence Shows Poor Leadership
Peter Orero’s silence after his driver’s conviction is a loud statement of moral weakness. Instead of condemning his driver’s actions or apologizing for the misconduct, he opted to let his subordinate take the fall.
A true leader would have taken responsibility, especially after being caught on video behaving unethically. Leadership demands accountability, not arrogance. Orero’s conduct—from mocking a journalist to remaining passive as his driver endangered lives—revealed a lack of integrity unbecoming of an elected official.
He did not just fail in judgment; he failed in duty. As a Member of Parliament affiliated with the ruling administration, Orero represents both the government and the people of Kibra. His failure to uphold traffic laws, the very laws he helps legislate, undermines the moral authority of Parliament.
ODPP’s Decision Weakens Public Trust
The ODPP’s decision not to charge Orero sends a dangerous signal: that politicians are untouchable. While the driver was fined Ksh100,000 for dangerous overtaking, the MP—the very person whose power and office may have emboldened the reckless behavior—walked free.
This double standard corrodes public trust in the justice system. Ordinary Kenyans are arrested and prosecuted daily for minor traffic violations, yet those with power are shielded by legal loopholes and political connections.
Larry Madowo, who captured the video, asked the question that millions of Kenyans echoed: “Did he do that without permission from his boss, Peter Orero, who was sitting in the co-driver’s seat?” The question remains unanswered—because Kenya’s justice system often prefers silence over truth when power is involved.
If the law cannot hold accountable a public official clearly seen participating in misconduct, then it ceases to serve justice. It serves politics.
Political Privilege and Abuse of Power
What happened on Oloitoktok Road was not just a traffic violation—it was a display of entitlement. The words “Pelekea Ruto” and “Taka taka” were not random insults; they reflected a mindset of impunity. The MP and his driver felt above reproach because of political connections and perceived immunity.
By letting Orero go free, the justice system effectively endorsed that impunity. The abuse of power extends beyond words—it undermines the very foundation of equality before the law.
Kenya’s democracy cannot thrive when politicians misuse state privilege for personal convenience. Allowing MPs to evade responsibility for visible wrongdoing sets a dangerous precedent, one that emboldens future lawbreakers within government.
