Editor's Review

"For your summons, I will not come," Didmus Barasa.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has affirmed that it has the power to compel the attendance of an uncooperative person who is required to appear before it. 

This is after Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa publicly declined to honour the summons by the commission over an alleged fraud.

In a statement on Monday, August 26, EACC noted that no suspect has the discretion to decide whether or not to comply with summons from an investigating authority.

"EACC is vested with appropriate enforcement powers and mechanisms to compel the attendance of an uncooperative suspect who is required to appear before it.

"No suspect can purport to choose or pretend to enjoy the discretion of whether or not to honour summons by investigative agencies," EACC remarked.

File image of EACC headquarters in Nairobi.

The outspoken lawmaker is being investigated by the commission for allegedly defrauding a businesswoman of Sh2 million.

Barasa claimed the money was given to him as a soft loan, but some disagreements led him not to pay it back.

"This money was advanced to me a soft loan. When it came to payment, I told the lady to remember Sh4 million she borrowed from me when she was running for a gubernatorial seat. That is the disagreement that made me not to pay that soft loan," he stated.

The legislator maintained that he was ready to meet with the woman in court but was not going to honour the summons by EACC.

"Let the lady go to the civil court and I will meet her there. For your summons, I will not come. I will not show up," the MP affirmed.