Case against Birdi, Keter starts as Kamama testifies

National Security Committee Chairman Asman Kamama has denied making calls to the Gilgil weighbridge to have a lorry detained for flouting the law released.

Mr Kamama admitted to having met MPs Alfred Keter and Sonia Birdi on January 24 but the duo did not request his assistance to have the trailer released. The Tiaty legislator was testifying yesterday when the case against the two began before Naivasha Chief Magistrate Peter Gesora, where the prosecution has lined up 15 witnesses.

MPs Sonia Birdi (nominated) and Alfred Keter at the Naivasha Law Courts yesterday, charged with creating disturbance. (PHOTO: ANTONY GITONGA/ STANDARD)

Mr Keter and Ms Birdi are facing various charges including creating disturbance at the Gilgil weighbridge on January 24. The duo faced two joint charges of incitement to disobedience of the law and intimidating public officers. The two lawmakers were also accused of using unprintable words while demanding the trailer’s release. “It’s in the public knowledge that there is massive corruption at the country’s weighbridge and I would not have hesitated to help my colleagues if they sought my assistance,” Kamama said.

During the hearing, Keter and Birdi’s lawyer Okong’o Omogeni took to task two SGR Ltd officials over powers to detain vehicles at the weighbridge.

George Obiero, a duty manager, admitted before the packed court that he did not have the powers to detain or release vehicles at the station.

Abusive language

Mr Obiero told the court how an agitated Keter threatened to have the President terminate the SGR contract to manage all weighbridge stations.

He told the court how Keter, who was being restrained by his guards, used abusive language while threatening the workers that they would be sacked for detaining the lorry.

SGR motor vehicle inspector Joseph Kamande, confirmed detaining the lorry as it did not have an inspection permit.

He said that the driver of the lorry admitted he was not aware that a permit was required for the lorry, which was ferrying a borehole drilling machine.

The magistrate issued summons to State House Comptroller Lawrence Lenayapa and Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Osman Warfa to appear in court after an application by prosecutor Njagi Nderitu. Hearing will continue on March 2, 2016.