Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa has publicly refused to honour a summons issued by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), which is investigating allegations of bribery against him.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Barasa asserted that the matter in question is a civil dispute, not a criminal one, and therefore does not fall under the jurisdiction of the EACC.
Barasa claimed that the allegations stem from a disagreement over a debt with a former gubernatorial candidate. According to the MP, he loaned the candidate KSh 4 million for campaign purposes, which has yet to be repaid.
Barasa explained that when he pressed for repayment, the candidate responded by filing bribery accusations against him.
Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa waves at supporters. Source: Facebook
“The disagreement is purely about the repayment of a loan, not a criminal matter. I will not appear before the EACC as they are not a debt collection agency,” Barasa stated.
He also revealed that a previous attempt by the former candidate to involve the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) was dismissed, reinforcing his position that the issue is civil.
The EACC, however, remains firm in its stance. In a letter dated August 21, the commission summoned Barasa to appear at their offices on August 27 to provide a statement regarding the bribery claims.
MP Didmus Barasa addressing the media. Source: Facebook
The letter also warned that failure to comply would result in the inquiry proceeding without his input.
Despite the warning, Barasa has maintained his refusal to engage with the EACC on the matter, insisting that any financial disputes should be settled in a civil court.
