Kidero given more time for talks

PHOTO | FILE Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero got another reprieve Monday against his pending prosecution for allegedly assaulting Women’s Representative Rachel Shebesh. 

In Summary

• Lawyer Tom Ojienda, for Dr Kidero, said while applying for the stay, that the governor was apprehensive he might be arrested and arraigned in court before being given a chance to challenge the case, hence rendering his request “merely academic”.
• Mr Miller said his client’s efforts to reconcile with the governor had been ignored. He said the olive branch she extended to Dr Kidero was in vain and she was now ready to be prosecuted. He was categorical that Dr Kidero was not ready to meet “the terms” Mrs Shebesh had laid out for reconciliation.

By VINCENT AGOYA
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Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero got another reprieve Monday against his pending prosecution for allegedly assaulting Women’s Representative Rachel Shebesh.

Dr Kidero moved to the High Court under a certificate of urgency and got a temporary stay shortly after a judge had vacated an earlier injunction hinged on the outcome of a proposed reconciliation with Mrs Shebesh.

The negotiations collapsed, according to her lawyer, Mr Cecil Miller, and she was ready to face the law. However, the governor was reported to have “needed more time to explore the lines of settlement.”

The governor’s petition will be heard on Thursday. Mrs Shebesh and the Director of Public Prosecutions have been invited to respond before the hearing date.

Lawyer Tom Ojienda, for Dr Kidero, said while applying for the stay, that the governor was apprehensive he might be arrested and arraigned in court before being given a chance to challenge the case, hence rendering his request “merely academic”.

Mr Miller said his client’s efforts to reconcile with the governor had been ignored. He said the olive branch she extended to Dr Kidero was in vain and she was now ready to be prosecuted. He was categorical that Dr Kidero was not ready to meet “the terms” Mrs Shebesh had laid out for reconciliation.

However, an aide of Dr Kidero said talks between the two collapsed after what he termed as “outrageous demands”.

A request for time for further exploration of the terms of settlement was rejected with the presiding judge stating that reconciliation “takes two to tango”. Mr Justice Isaac Lenaola said it was apparent the talks had failed as he had ordered when he issued the first injunction.

“Reconciliation is two way process and if one party is not ready to engage then any order in that regard will be in vain,” he said.

A petition filed by a voter, Mr Alex Ochako, who wanted the case dropped, will return to court on January 28 for further orders.