MPs decline to forgive man accused of conning them

Efforts by Waziri Benson Chacha, the man accused of conning legislators using Murang’a Woman Representative Sabina Chege’s name to seek for forgiveness have hit a dead end.

It emerged on Wednesday that the man had asked the court to give him time to have the criminal case pressed against him dropped, but it seems it did not work as the matter was listed for hearing.

City Court Chief Magistrate Roseline Oganyo observed that Chacha was charged last year March after which the case was put to a halt for him to reconcile with his accusers but nothing came out of it.

The State on Wednesday told the court that it was ready to front its witnesses against the man who include former MPs Jakoyo Midiwo, Cecilia Ngetich and Sabina.

However, Sabina’s lawyer George Wajakoya asked the court to adjourn the case as she had just appointed him to represent her in the case.

 He said he wanted to acquaint himself with the statements filed in court.

 “Your honor, I pray that this court allows for an adjournment for the reason that I have just been instructed and I need to prepare to represent the complainant,” said Wajakoya.

The magistrate agreed with him saying that victims of crime have a right to be represented in a case hence pushed the hearing to October this year.

 “This court recognizes the role of victim’s advocate in proceedings. A victim has a right to appear in person or be represented by counsel.  Prof. Wajakoya says he has just been appointed and needs to go through documents. A victim has a right to know what the case is,” ruled Oganyo.

At the same time, the session was not without light moments which diffused the pin drop silence often in courts.  

At one moment, when prosecutor was on his feet submitting, a man without shoes darted into the room holding papers high and complaining that he had been re- arrested despite paying a cash bail.

He bolted towards Magistrate Oganyo, presumably to vent his anger to her that county askaris had for a second time cut his freedom short despite paying for it.

The unknown man was lifted high and whisked out.

He left the city Hall premises with guards following him closely.

The security lapse might have been occasioned by a cashier’s office whose entry is right inside the court room.

While the proceedings were ongoing, people would just walk in, pass behind the accused’s person dock which doubles as a pathway to the room and walk out.

 Then came a curious observation by Prof. Wajakoya that the court room’s windows spoke loudly on uncleanliness.

 True to his word, the panels were coated with brown dust that gave them a tint indicating that they had not seen water for a while.

 “Your honor, I think we need a clean room,” he said.

 While acknowledging the observation, the magistrate informed the lawyer that the court was just a tenant of Nairobi County and depended on those ordered to carry out community service to do the cleaning.

She said, no one of late had been convicted to do such.

The case will be heard on October 2 and 3.