Orengo: I did not contact Supreme Court judges

Lawyer James Orengo at Supreme Court during the ruling that nullified President Uhuru Kenyatta's victory on September 1, 2017. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Siaya Senator James Orengo has dismissed claims that he contacted some of the Supreme Court judges during the hearing of the presidential petition.

Addressing journalists on the sidelines of an induction meeting for senators at Simba Lodge in Naivasha on Tuesday, Mr Orengo termed the claims as ‘balderdash’

Mr Orengo termed a petition submitted to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) with the claims as a diversionary tactic aimed at discrediting the judges.

"Such petitions should first be interrogated before being filed before the Judicial Service Commission,” he said.

SISTER

The Senator, who was the opposition lead counsel during the petition against President Uhuru Kenyatta denied that he has a sister called Margaret Orengo.

"For the record, I do not have a sister called by that name...I have only two sisters in my life. One was Jane and she died more than 20-years ago and the other one is called Florence and is happily married in Meru," he said.

He termed the claims as false adding that in his many years of practicing law, he shied away from making any contact with judicial officers.

"I have never approached any of the judicial officers whether in the chambers or anywhere else while discharging my duties as a lawyer of repute,” said Mr Orengo.

He categorically denied meeting Supreme Court Judge Isaac Lenaola in any of the capacities or ever making any contact with him.

JUSTICE MWILU

"I don't remember at any given time ringing Mr Lenaola or him calling me," said the Senator.

He echoed similar sentiments regarding Deputy Chief Justice, Philomena Mwilu, insisting she had only met her in the courtroom.

Mr Orengo said it was not the first time he was involved in a presidential petition, pointing that he was also involved in a petition once file by the late Jaramogi Odinga.

"Out of three or four petitions that I have been involved in, it was only the current case that was ruled in our favour," he said.

He called for the prosecution of the man who filed the petition for giving false information or perjury.