Kidero rules out cash handout in slap row

The saga involving Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero and Women Representative Rachel Shebesh appeared far from over after the county boss vowed not to give a cash pay out as a means of reconciliation.

Dr Kidero ruled out paying millions of shillings to the Women Rep, diminishing prospects of an out-of-court settlement, which the High Court had ordered the two parties to explore in a week.

“Reconciliation cannot be bought with money. We are still talking and I hope we will be working together to serve the people of Nairobi,” the governor said during an evening news programme.

Unconfirmed reports had indicated that Dr Kidero, who has been accused of slapping Mrs Shebesh, also made an assault claim allegedly against the women representative, that he was willing to pay millions of shillings to put the matter to rest.

The public altercation between the two leaders began when Mrs Shebesh accompanied by hordes of striking county council workers raided the governor’s offices, after which Dr Kidero is said to have slapped the lawmaker.

The governor also alleged Mrs Shebesh hit him in the groin area, and the two leaders recorded statements with the police regarding the incident.

Parties will meet before Justice Weldon Korir on January 16.

ORDERS LIFTED
On Monday, Governor Kidero escaped arrest moments after the High Court lifted temporary orders that had been issued, cushioning him from criminal investigations.

His lawyers obtained temporary injunction blocking the Director of Public Prosecution Mr Keriako Tobiko and the police from arresting him for assault.

Earlier Justice Isaac Lenaola had ruled that orders he had issued on January 3 asking the two leaders to reach an out of court settlement were no longer in force, sending his legal team in frantic efforts to get an order barring the police from making an arrest.

Justice Lanaola said since the orders had been made on the understanding that the two parties would reach an amicable solution they were no longer in force.

Shebesh’s lawyer Cecil Miller said the two parties had reached terms of settlement after which Dr Kidero’s side went silent.

Following the injunction, setting aside Dr Kidero’s arrest and prosecution orders, the parties will meet before Justice Weldon Korir on January 16.