DPP Haji Goes After Didmus Barasa After Social Media Post
The DPP added that police reports in Bungoma have revealed that the legislator has since switched off his phone as the manhunt for him intensifies.
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The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Noordin Haji, has directed the necessary security agencies to track down and arrest Kimilili Member of Parliament, Didmus Barasa, who is on the run.
In a statement on Wednesday, August 10, Haji wants Barasa to record a statement and have a file delivered to his office for additional action.
The DPP added that police reports in Bungoma have revealed that the legislator has since switched off his phone as the manhunt for him intensifies.
Didmus Barasa queues to vote in the August 9, 2022 elections. /DIDMUS BARASA
"DPP, Noordin Haji, has given directions to have Didimus Barasa apprehended, record a statement and have the relevant file availed to his office for appropriate action.
"Barasa, who is the incumbent MP, Kimilili Constituency, was reported to have shot and killed Brian Olunga, on 9th Aug. 2022 at Chebukwabi Polling Station.
"Olunga was a bodyguard to Brian Khaemba, who was Barasa's opponent in the elections. According to police in Bungoma, the MP is still at large and his phone is switched off," read the statement in part.
The lawmaker, who is wanted for a reported shooting incident at a polling station that left a rival's aide dead, resurfaced on social media an hour before the announcement with the caption “Masaa ndio machache (Time is short)....” under a photo of him and Deputy President William Ruto.
The post was his first attempt at breaking the silence since the incident.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had earlier announced that it stretched its manhunt outside the Kenyan territory into Uganda according to a tip-off that revealed that Barasa used a boda boda to flee to the neighbouring country.
Barasa was initially handed a deadline of 24 hours to surrender by Bungoma County Commissioner Samuel Kimiti, appealing to members of the public to alert the police in case they spot him.
"I have read the reports in the media. Counting will go on, winners will be declared. Matters of murder are criminal and it is a matter for the police and I believe the law will take its course," Chebukati stated.
"Officers who are on the ground will be witnesses. Until the individual is convicted, the Commission will not come in." Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman, Wafula Chebukati, said in response to the matter.
