MP Waluke reacts after Court of Appeal overturns his 67-year jail term

By Peter Ochieng

Sirisia Member of Parliament (MP) John Koyi Waluke can afford a smile.

This is after the Court of Appeal in Nairobi, on Friday overturned his 67-year jail term, with an option of paying Sh1 billion fine, after being found guilty in a maize importation scandal.

He was handed the sentence in June 2020, after the Anti-Corruption Court found him guilty of fraud and illegal acquisition of Sh 313 million through questionable deals at the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB).

Through his lawyers led by Elisha Ongoya and Rarieda MP Paul Otiende Amollo, Waluke appealed the decision at the High Court but lost, resulting in his return to jail in November 2022.

He swiftly moved to the Court of Appeal, which granted him a bond of Sh10 million. Prior to filing an appeal, Waluke served four months of his sentence at the Kamiti Maximum Prison.

Shortly after the jail term was overturned, the MP posted a video depicting him dancing with some of his constituents.

“Thank you for your prayers my great people of Sirisia Constituency,” he captioned the video.

Waluke’s lawyers argued that the case against him was misinterpreted, adding that the severe penalty of 67 years in prison was influenced by political factors.

They stated that the money in question was lawfully paid to Walukhe and co-convict Grace Wakhungu, following an award after an arbitration that was confirmed by the High Court.

Prosecution stated that the MP and Wakhungu through their company Erad Supplies & General Contractors, were supposed to supply 40,000 metric tonnes of maize to NCPB in 2004.

They reportedly ended up pocketing Sh 313 million without supplying even a single bag of maize.

Waluke is among the longest serving MPs. He was re-elected for the third time in 2022, having replaced National Assembly Speaker, Moses Wetang’ula in 2013.

Wetang’ula was elected Bungoma Senator in 2013, 2017 and 2022, before resigning to contest for the position of the National Assembly Speaker.