Lillian Omollo has been cleared by the Jubilee Party to vie as Meru Senator in the August 9, 2022, general election.
The party’s Director of Election Kanini Kega handed Omollo the ticket in an event that was witnessed by the party’s Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni and the party’s National Elections Board Chairman Stephen Wandeto.
“We all know what the work of the senator is, it is to protect and bring home funds. In my previous work, I dealt with public service work, a lot of financial management,” said Omollo.
She will face off with Governor Martin Wambora who is serving his second and final term in office as Governor.
Other opponents are Embu deputy governor David Kariuki who will be flying the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket, University of Embu lecturer Fridah Karani and others.
Omollo is the former Youth and Gender Principal Secretary who got embroiled in a Ksh.167 million National Youth Service (NYS) scandal back in 2018.
She is yet to be cleared in the multimillion shilling scandal.
The High Court in February dealt Omollo a blow after her plea to be discharged over the loss of millions at NYS on grounds that courts have no authority to handle the cases after the lapse of more than two years.
Two magistrates handling separate cases in which she and other former senior government officials and traders are facing multiple charges over the loss of funds at the state agency dismissed claims that courts have no authority to proceed with the cases since the statutory timelines have since lapsed.
Section 62(1) of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act states that a public officer or state officer who is charged with corruption or economic crime shall be suspended at half pay with effect from the date of the charge until the conclusion of the case.
The law further says the case shall be determined within 24 months.
The former PS had also argued that they acted in good faith while discharging their mandate but the court said the accused persons do not enjoy immunity from acts that amount to a crime and the claim that they acted in good faith can only be raised in defence hearing.
Jubilee Party’s NYS Jiggle Factor
The Jubilee party has jiggled in handling the NYS case after it rejected Ann Ngirita’s application to vie for the Nakuru Woman Representative seat until she is cleared by the EACC.
Ngirita was implicated in the NYS saga in 2015 where the country lost Ksh.791 million, a case which also involved incumbent Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru.
“Such candidates must be cleared by the EACC, DCI, KRA and other relevant bodies as this is the only way we can truly safeguard the progress we have made as a county in the fight against graft,” the statement said.
Jubilee asserted that criminals and candidates with a track record of corruption will not find a home in the party in the wake of August polls.
“They are however free to vie on parties known to accommodate graft lords, land grabbers, con artistes and money launderers, they will find a home there,” read the statement.
