MPs Alfred Keter, Sunjeev Birdi vow not to resign over weighbridge drama
What you need to know:
- The MPs said they would continue to fight corruption and also refused to apologise for their actions.
- Ms Birdi also distanced herself from the detained truck, saying she was acting on behalf of businessmen she did not name.
Embattled Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter and his nominated counterpart Sunjeev Birdi have vowed not to resign over a video that showed them harassing officers at the Gilgil weighbridge in Nakuru County
The MPs said they would continue to fight corruption and also refused to apologise for their actions.
They claimed they were forced to act the way they did after officers at the weighbridge demanded a bribe before they would release a detained truck.
During an interview on NTV on Sunday night, the duo defended their actions, saying they were fighting corruption.
They said they were happy that their actions, condemned by Kenyans on social media, were filmed because that had attracted attention to the weighbridge they alleged was known for bribery.
“If I resign then many Kenyans will die because no one will be left to fight for them. If we had more Keters then we will be able to rid the country of corruption. Right now we only have like ten of us,” said Mr Keter told NTV’s Larry Madowo.
OUTRAGE
The MPs’ actions have attracted outrage from the government and the two recorded statements at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations on Sunday evening.
Ms Birdi, a nominated URP Member of Parlieament, said she was fighting for her people and therefore will stay put.
She also distanced herself from the detained truck, saying she was acting on behalf of businessmen she did not name.
“What has been shown is just six minutes of what happened. We were there for more than an hour. We would like Kenyans to be shown everything. The truck was not mine. I was acting on behalf of businessmen,” she said.
In the video, the two are seen harassing officers based at the weighbridge, demanding to know why they were not complying with their demands and not picking up phone calls from State House.
Meanwhile, other URP leaders distanced themselves from the MPs' actions.
Elgeyo-Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen condemned the MPs’ behaviour, saying they should not be associated with the party.
“When he abuses us he is Independent minded democrat when he abuses others he is corrupt URP MP. Did u hear him mention DP or URP? Leave us alone,” Mr Murkomen said in a post on his Twitter handle.
Kericho Senator Charles Keter also weighed in, calling the incident shameful and unacceptable for a leader.
“If what Keter did was true, that was shameful. You can't do that as a leader," Senator Keter told Nation FM on Monday morning.
