County rep Samuel Aboko Onkwani denies Uhuru Kenyatta bhang slur
Kiogoro Ward representative Samuel Aboko Onkwani. PHOTO | JACKLINE MORAA
What you need to know:
- Samuel Aboko Onkwani appeared before Principal Magistrate Kibet Sambu on Tuesday charged with undermining the authority of a public officer
- The court ordered that the ward rep be released on a bond of Sh50,000 or surety of similar amount or a cash bail of Sh20,000
A County Representative has been charged with abusing President Kenyatta at a political rally.
Kiogoro Ward representative Samuel Aboko Onkwani is alleged to have uttered the words:
“Those close to President Uhuru Kenyatta should advise him to stop smoking bhang.”
He appeared before Principal Magistrate Kibet Sambu on Tuesday charged with undermining the authority of a public officer.
He is alleged to have uttered those words on August 28, 2013, at Kerera location, Kisii County. The court heard that the words uttered by Mr Aboko were calculated to bring into contempt the lawful authority of Mr Kenyatta, who is a public officer.
The accused, who was represented by advocates Gideon Nyambati and Isaiah Mosota, denied the charges.
His lawyers asked the court to release him on a reasonable bond and they be supplied with recordings to be used as evidence.
“We also ask that we be supplied with witness’s statements,” said Mr Nyambati.
The prosecution said that it was not possible to supply the defence with the said documents because the investigating officer has not supplied the same to the court.
The court ordered that the ward rep be released on a bond of Sh50,000 or surety of similar amount or a cash bail of Sh20,000. The case will be mentioned on May 14 and heard on June 3.
