Sirisia MP John Waluke has been released by the High Court on a cash bail of Kshs 10 million or bond of Kshs 20 million while co-accused Grace Wakhungu has been released on a cash bail of Kshs 20 million or bond of Kshs 30 million with a surety of a similar amount pending the hearing of the appeal of their cases. The two were involved in maize scandal involving NCPB, where they fraudulently acquired more than Kshs 300 million.
Waluke had been sentenced to 67 years in prison and Wakhungu 69 years, or to pay fines close to Kshs 1 billion for each. They filed an appeal shortly after, and during his ruling on Monday, justice John Onyiego directed the pair to deposit their passports, to shelf any travelling outside the country and to present themselves to the court once a month.
Both Waluke and Wakhungu had registered concerns with their health status in seeking a bond release. Waluke revealed that he has arthritis, diabetes and hypertension and Wakhungu said she has arthritis and hypertension. However, the DPP Noordin Haji had opposed their release, adding that their conditions could be treated even under custody. Waluke also told the Court that he would lose his parliamentary seat as a result of the conviction and that key witnesses hadn’t been called to testify in the case.