Orengo castigates DPP Haji over withdrawal of DP Gachagua's Ksh.7.4 b graft case

Siaya Governor James Orengo has castigated Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji over the withdrawal of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's Ksh.7.4 billion graft case.

Speaking while distributing food in Rarieda on Saturday, Orengo said the move by the DPP amounts to abuse of the country's judicial system.

"I can tell this without fear of contradiction, if Gachagua was not deputy president his case would not have been withdrawn. It is being withdrawn because of his state title. That is an abuse of the criminal justice system," said Orengo.

Orengo called on the Judiciary to stand firm and desist from interference by the Executive, adding that the withdrawal of high-profile cases is entrenching inequalities in dispensing justice.

"There are many Kenyans who have cases before courts of law whose suits do not deserve to be there but there cases will not be withdrawn because they are lesser beings. The institutions of justice must remain true and courts must examine all cases properly before they are withdrawn," he said.

On November 10, 2022, the Anti-Corruption court allowed the DPP to withdraw the said graft case against Gachagua and nine others.

Judge Victor Wakumile notified the accused persons that they might be re-arrested over the same charges in future.

In the ruling, the judge faulted the ODPP for pressing charges on DP Gachagua and his co-accused without conducting conclusive investigations.

“How come DPP seemed to have acted and preferred charges based on inconclusive investigations? One cannot be prompted to infer that he acted under pressure from his junior the DCIO,” the judge said then.

Judge Wakumile further noted that there is need for the court to make recommendations that might improve the criminal justice system to avert such incidences in future.