‘I Will Not Honour The EACC Summons’ – Angry MP Didmus Barasa Declares
Didmus Barasa, the Kimilili MP, has vowed not to comply with an EACC summons linking him to bribery allegations.
Speaking on Sunday, after reports of the EACC summons surfaced, Barasa stated that the matter at hand is purely civil, not criminal.
During a press conference on Sunday, the MP claimed that his disagreement was caused by a former gubernatorial candidate.
According to Barasa, the former gubernatorial candidate made bribery allegations in response to a disagreement over debt repayment.
According to the MP, he loaned Sh4 million to the former candidate for campaign expenses, which he claims has yet to be repaid.
“I borrowed Sh2 million from the former candidate as a soft loan. When the time came for payment, I reminded the candidate that ‘you borrowed Sh4 million from me during the campaigns and you have not paid’. That is the disagreement that made me not pay,” Barasa claimed.
Response from extortist Didmus Barasa! pic.twitter.com/nAjYHXDlC0
— Cornelius K. Ronoh (@itskipronoh) August 25, 2024
The MP claimed that the former candidate took him to the DCI, and that the case was dismissed because it was purely civil rather than criminal.
Barasa claimed the same person moved to EACC, where a complaint was filed, and he was issued the first summons.
“I told the EACC that I would not honour the summon because EACC cannot be used as a debt collection centre. If I have not honoured the financial obligation it is because of the disagreement between me and the person,” he stated.
Barasa claimed the accusation was later changed, and he was informed that he was wanted on corruption charges.
“I have to tell EACC that ‘ you have a serious mandate as per our constitution’. You have no role to play in assisting the said person to recover the loan advanced to me as loan. You have documents indicating why the loan was wired to my account,” Barasa said.
“Let the person go to civil court and we will meet there. I will not honour your summon because you have no jurisdiction over the matter.”
In a letter dated August 21, EACC requested that Barasa appear before them on Tuesday, August 27 to record a statement.
The Commission stated that it is looking into bribery allegations made against him.
According to the agency, this is a second chance for the MP.
“The Commission accords you a second opportunity to come and respond to the allegations of bribery made against you. To this end, you are required to appear at the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission’s offices at Integrity Centre, Nairobi on 27th August 2024 at 9:00 am,” read a letter by EACC.
EACC also warned him against failing to obey the summons.
“Please note that, if you do not turn up to respond to these allegations, this inquiry will proceed to its conclusion, and appropriate recommendations made without further reference to you,” it states.
“Our officers will be available to receive you and record your statement.”
‘I Will Not Honour The EACC Summons’ – Angry MP Didmus Barasa Declares
