Senator Okiya Omtatah of Busia claims to have received offers of up to Ksh. 200 million to dismiss his petition against the Finance Act 2023.
Omtatah claimed during his speech at the People’s Anti-Corruption Summit on Tuesday that he turned down the offers because they were an attempt to undermine the legal system.
“We have to ensure that we abide by the law. They believe everyone has a price. Right now if you look at the money I have been offered to withdraw the petition (it) has reached 200 million. But I tell them, my price is one, if you can’t govern vacate the office for those who can govern,” said Omtatah.
The Senator stated his commitment to maintaining the principles of justice and fighting corruption. He vowed not to give in to any attempts to undermine the legal process’s integrity, adding that his petition was motivated by a genuine concern for the public’s and the economy’s well-being.
Omtatah’s petition resulted in the High Court temporarily suspending the execution of the Finance Act 2023 on June 30.
Lady Justice Mugure Thande halted the law’s implementation pending the outcome of Omtatah’s lawsuit.
The state later moved to court to have the orders lifted.
However, in a ruling on July 10, judge Mugure Thande declined to set aside the orders suspending the Finance Act 2023.
“The petitioners have proved that they have a prima facie case….there’s merit in granting conservatory orders,” the judge noted.
