Court orders arrest of Midiwo over Raila assassination claims

The High Court in Kisumu has ordered the arrest and prosecution of Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo for claiming that CORD leader Raila Odinga’s life was in danger three years ago.

Justice Hillary Chemitei dismissed an application by the National Assembly Minority Chief Whip that had challenged a bid by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to arrest him over the claims.

Midiwo made the assassination claims in a funeral in Bondo on April 7th, 2012 that Raila Odinga’s life was in danger.

In his case, Midiwo had asked Justice Chemitei to quash the arrest warrant by the DPP saying he should not be arrested but congratulated for blowing the whistle on the plot to assassinate the CORD leader.

But the DPP, through State Counsel James Warui told the court that Midiwo had failed to substantiate his claim and had made the assassination plot remarks to gain political mileage.

In his ruling on Monday, Justice Chemitei said the CORD MP had not proved his case.

“It is my finding that the petitioner has failed to demonstrate that the intended prosecution was driven by another purpose other than justice and enforcement of the law. The same is hereby dismissed with costs to the respondents,” ruled Justice Chemitei.

By Stephen Odindo