By Getrude Matayo
Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja has been fined 15, 000 shillings or face a 3-month jail term after he pleaded guilty of breaking Covid-19 rules before an open court in Kasarani, Nairobi.
Sakaja was accused of breaching the curfew rules after he was found drinking with his friends at 1 am on Saturday at a bar in Kilimani alongside 10 other revelers.
At the time of his arrest, Sakaja was the Chair of the Senate Adhock Committee in charge of the fight against Covid-19. He has since resigned from the position. It was ironic that those in charge of the fight against the pandemic were the ones courting it.
Speaking to the media on Monday shortly after he recorded a statement at the Kilimani police station for flouting with curfew rules, Sakaja apologized and promised to take full responsibility.
The state prosecutors argued that the court should consider a harsh penalty against the senator in order to send a message to political leaders that the rules were not made for small persons but are meant to allow people to behave in accordance with the law.
“I was on the wrong and I am sorry. I wish to state that I have resigned from the committee that I have been charring and have notified the speaker on the same with the aim of setting a good example” Sakaja said.
“I was outside my house past 9 pm which is after curfew hours. It is regrettable but all of us make mistakes. I will be abiding by the law, no one is above the law. I have paid the bail and I will appear before the court and the entire course of the law will be allowed” He added.
A section of Kenyans feels the fine is too small for a man with the status of a Senator and said such will only encourage others to break the law.
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