- John Waluke, elected on a Jubilee Party ticket, was spotted on Tuesday, November 22, hanging around the Parliament building
- The seasoned politician was in the company of his Kimilili counterpart Didmus Barasa, elected on William Ruto’s UDA party
- It was not immediately established what the two legislators, both from Bungoma county, were discussing about
Four days after being granted freedom by the courts, Sirisia MP John Waluke is back in Parliament.
The MP elected on a Jubilee Party ticket was spotted on Tuesday, November 22, hanging around the Parliament building.
Waluke was in the company of his Kimilili counterpart Didmus Barasa. The two appeared to be in a deep conversation.
While Barasa, elected on President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, wore a white suit and his signature red cap, Waluke was dressed in a dark suit with a white shirt and red tie.
It was not immediately established what the two MPs, both from Bungoma county, were discussing about.
Following his release, Sirisia residents thronged the streets in song and dance to celebrate his freedom.
Waluke had been in jail for six months before he was set free.
Speaking to the press, Waluke’s mother thanked the government for releasing her son from prison.
“I am very happy because the courts have released my son, and I will finally see him. All his supporters are happy, and I can assure them that he is returning to serve them diligently as their area MP,” she said.
Jubilated residents who accompanied her said they would convince Waluke elected on a Jubilee Party ticket, to join President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.
“All we now want is for him (Waluke) to come back and work with the government of the day. We, the people of Sirisia, are the ones who popularised UDA in Bungoma through our MP. We now want him to go back to UDA,” one resident said.
Another resident who talked to the press said: “For Waluke has been in jail, people have been like orphans in Sirisia. But now we thank God for what he has done for us.”
Waluke was on Friday, November 18, released on a KSh 10 million bond or KSh 20 million bond with surety.
The Appellate Court agreed with the High Court over the KSh 500 million fraud charges against the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB).
Waluke returned to the courtroom to have a 67-year sentence against him overturned because he believed it was harsh and unjustified.
