Senate clerk seeks to halt case against Keroche

When Nakuru Senator Tabitha Keroche addressed the media on the standoff at the Nakuru War memorial Hospital at the Media centre ,Parliament ,Nairobi on Feb 2, 2024. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

In his application dated November 11, Nyegenye through his lawyer Job Wambulwa has urged Justice Samwel Mohochi to suspend a petition that seeks to freeze the Senator's Equity Bank Account and any other accounts.

The petition was filed on November 4 by Nakuru activists Samuel Nasieku and Benson Macharia, claiming the Senator embezzled over Sh8.3 million between October 2023 and March 2024.

Nyegenye submits that the court should stay the proceedings, pending the outcome of an investigation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and an audit by the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC).

Ongoing investigations

"EACC and PSC are seized of the matter based on allegations of the misuse of funds of the Nakuru County Senate Office," submits Nyegenye.

According to Nyegenye, the PSC, through his office, has received several complaints of financial irregularities and employment disputes from current and former employees of the Nakuru Senate Office.

"Pursuant to the said provision, all employment disputes emanating from the office of the Senator were referred to the Chair PSC, Speaker Moses Wetangula, who has since constituted an arbitration panel to determine the same," he submits.

He deposes that there will be no prejudice against the two activists if the case is stayed because the prayers sought may affect the likely outcome of the ongoing investigations and consideration by the two bodies. On Tuesday, Lawyer Hellen Tusiime, who represents Equity Bank, said the bank had no problem freezing any accounts if the court ordered so. The case will be mentioned on January 23, 2025.