ODM communications director Philip Etale acquitted of electoral malpractices

A Kilifi Court has acquitted ODM Director of Communications Philip Etale of electoral malpractices charges.

Etale, who was accompanied his by his lawyer Maurice Kilonzo, was set free by Kilifi Resident Magistrate Evelyn Wasike for lack of evidence incriminating him to election malpractices on the just concluded Malindi by-election.

An affidavit presented to the court by the investigating officer Kipkemboi Rop stated that police found no evidence or incriminating material in his cell phone.

Immediately after his release, elated Etale told journalists outside the Kilifi Law Courts that he has never stolen or been involved in any criminal offense terming the  charges as a plot by certain individuals to fix him.

His lawyer Maurice Kilonzo said that the vindication by investigating officers is proof that Etale is a law abiding citizen who is not involved in retrogressive politics.

Etale was arrested at the wee hours of March 7th in a Malindi hotel on allegations that he had in his possession illegally acquired election materials. He was later arraigned in court and released on a bond of Ksh 30,000.

Report by Reuben Ogachi