Voter wants Kasarani MP removed from office

By Lucianne Limo

Nairobi, Kenya: A voter has moved to court to seeking to stop Kasarani MP John Njoroge Chege from discharging his duties.

Kepha Sagana wants the court to issue orders restraining the legislature from acting as Kasarani MP on grounds that he lacks integrity.

The voter argues that the MP was charged in court last year with corruption related offences which raises serious questions relating to his character and integrity.

“The personal integrity, competence and suitability of the legislature to serve or continue serving as MP for Kasarani has been put to question, “he added.

 Chege became the first lawmaker in the 11th Parliament to be charged in court over corruption allegations. Chege was arraigned before Anti-Corruption court in Milimani and denied three counts of soliciting a bribe.

The legislator was accused that on June 25, at the Continental House parking yard in Nairobi, he solicited Sh100,000 from Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi as an inducement to facilitate payment of Sh3.3 million for a completed Baba Dogo Secondary school tuition block.

 The voter said he believes the MP lacks integrity and it is therefore illegal and unconstitutional for him to continue to hold such an office.

“If the court does not issue orders to stop him, then there is real danger of the legislature continuing to discharge duties for Kasarani voters against the background of serious integrity issues, “he added.

He said Chege was charged in court for contravening provisions of The Anti Corruption and Economics Crimes Act 2003, and the alleged offences were committed while he was an MP.

Sagana told the court that since the MP is facing integrity issues, he should step aside until the question of his integrity is conclusively resolved.

The voter raised concern that the MP sits in the board of Constituency development Board and hence public coffers are at risk if he is found guilty of corruption.

“There is likelihood of misuse of public funds meant for the constituents if the allegations against the MP are true, a fact that can only be resolved at the trial of his corruption charge,”Sagana said.

He added that it is necessary and in the interest of safeguarding public funds that the MP is stopped from acting as MP.