George Oduor, the driver of Kibra MP Peter Orero, pleaded for mercy from the court after his weekend viral traffic altercation with CNN reporter Larry Madowo.
Madowo had filmed Oduor, who was in the company of MP Orero, recklessly overtaking other vehicles last week before insulting and dismissing the journalist and telling him to take his grievances to President William Ruto.
Madowo hadn’t recognized the MP during the heated exchange but social media users quickly identified Oduor, prompting widespread calls for his arrest over the traffic offense. The incident also drew a response from the National Police Service (NPS) with a spokesperson Michael Muchiri condemning abuse of VIP privileges to obstruct traffic.
Muchiri explained that emergency vehicles, such as ambulances, fire engines, official Presidential and Deputy Presidential motorcades, and military convoys in exceptional circumstances, are the only vehicles allowed by law to bring traffic to a standstill.
On Monday, authorities charged Oduor before Milimani magistrate Rose Ndombi with reckless overtaking on Oloitoktok Road in Nairobi County.
The court was told that Oduor had been driving MP Orero’s Toyota Prado. He pleaded guilty and asked for leniency, saying it was his first traffic offense.
“I was rushing to the airport and there was traffic so I thought I could overtake to save time. I’m a first time offender and I will not repeat the mistake,” Oduor said.
However, the prosecution called for the maximum penalty, citing that his reckless overtaking was deliberate and that his action, as captured on tape, demonstrated gross impunity.
Magistrate Rose Ndombi handed Oduor a fine of Ksh100,000 or a year’s jail term, noting that the amount was the maximum provided by law for the offense.
“Having heard the mitigation and considered the sentence as provided for in law, this court fines you Sh100,000, failing which you will be jailed for 12 months,” the magistrate ruled.
Oduor was also granted 14 days to file an appeal if he chooses to do so.
The post Larry Madowo’s Viral Video Earns Kibra MP’s Driver KSh100,000 Fine appeared first on Bossnana.
