Vocal city lawyer Steve Ogolla has blasted Siaya Senator James Orengo for representing Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Managing Director Daniel Manduku, who is being investigated for an alleged corruption.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on Tuesday asked the High Court in Mombasa to bar Orengo from the case citing conflict of interest.
On his part, Orengo, a Senior Counsel and Senate Minority Leader, refused to step down insisting only Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) can instruct him to do so.
Ogolla supported the DPP's application, arguing that Orengo is a lawyer who is held in high esteem in the legal practice, and ought to quit the case.
"SC James Orengo is undisputed legal luminary and a practitioner extraordinaire with a detailed understanding of the constitution, which is why it turns logic on its head that he should insist on representing KPA Boss Daniel Manduku in corruption related investigations," the lawyer tweeted on Tuesday night.
Manduku is being investigated over alleged graft related to revitalisation of the Kisumu Port, and construction of concrete barriers for various ports around the country.
Lately, Senators and Members of Parliament who are lawyers, have been subjected to heavy criticism for representing people in courts, due to the oversight roles they play on State officers.
In his address to the nation during Jamhuri Day celebrations, President Uhuru Kenyatta waded into the debate of conflict of interest, saying it is against leadership and integrity for state and public officers to engage in private practice.
The Head of State directed Attorney-General Kihara Kariuki to ensure Conflict of Interest Bill is submitted to Cabinet for approval, and forwarded to Parliament for consideration.