DPP Haji orders arrest of Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji has ordered for the arrest of Kimilili Member of Parliament Didmus Barasa over the alleged killing of his opponent’s bodyguard.

DPP Haji, in a statement issued on Wednesday, ordered that Barasa record a statement on the matter and the file be forwarded to his office.

“DPP, Noordin Haji, has given directions to have Hon. Didmus Barasa apprehended, record a statement and have the relevant file availed to his office for appropriate action," read the statement.

"According to police in Bungoma, the MP is still at large and his phone is switched off."

This comes after Barasa was on Tuesday accused of shooting dead his opponent Brian Khaemba’s aide.

Mr. Khaemba, who was seeking to unseat Barasa from the Kimilili MP seat on a Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) ticket, reportedly went to Chebukwabi polling station at around 6pm to witness counting of the votes.

He however met the incumbent legislator at the polling station, and hence decided to leave barely a few minutes after his arrival.

Mr. Khaemba headed towards his car but, according to a police report seen by Citizen Digital, “Didmus Barasa followed him in company of four men and ordered them not to allow him (Mr. Brian Khaemba) to leave…”

The aspiring MP’s driver, one Joshua Nasokho, is however said to have defied Barasa’s order and ignited the vehicle.

“Didmus Barasa withdrew a pistol and aimed at Mr Khaemba's aide namely Brian Olunga and shot him on the forehead where he profusely bled,” read the police report.

“He was rushed to Kimilili Sub-County Hospital where he succumbed while undergoing treatment. Scene visited by the police accompanied by Scenes of Crime Personnel from Bungoma County, where the scene was processed and documented.”

Bungoma County Commissioner Samuel Kimiti has since urged the embattled legislator to surrender before the police.

“We have ordered the police to hunt for the MP, because after he did that he just disappeared and the police are now pursuing him. But we’re telling him to surrender himself before we get a hold of him. This young man died, not because of his own fault, but because of the mistake of a leader,” said Mr. Kimiti.

“We’re telling him to surrender himself and also surrender the firearm because the ammunition is not supposed to be used to cause harm to other people. That is a misuse of a firearm, and therefore we will also confiscate it.”