Siaya governor, James Orengo wants judiciary to put a stop to attempts by the government to use it to justify illegal detention of anti-government demonstrators against the constitutionally stipulated timelines.

Orengo says that incidents where the police and the office of the director of public prosecutions were making applications to have those opposed to the government to be detained for a number of days pending preference of charges was akin to the old Holding charge that was repealed following the enactment of the new constitution.

He was speaking at Ahindi Garden in Siaya town today when he led Siaya leaders and their residents in an interdenominational prayer in memory of victims of demonstrators that has rocked several parts of the country in recent past.

The governor, who hailed the courts for what he termed as exemplary performance so far, however called on judges and magistrates to be firm and refuse to be used by the system to undermine the constitution by ensuring that they make prompt bail rulings.

“We are asking the judiciary to make prompt bail rulings when one is taken to court on any charge that is bailable” said Orengo adding that this will stop the police and ODPP from trying to circumvent the constitution and have people detained through the back door.

His sentiments were supported by Siaya county assembly speaker, George Okode who called for punishment of those who illegally detain suspects beyond the stipulated timeframe.

“We urge with humility that the culture of holding people beyond the stipulated 24 hours be stopped” said speaker Okode adding “the way to cure this is to punish those who deliberately, through mischief, hold people longer that the stipulated time frame”.

On calls for talks between president William Ruto and Azimio leader, Raila Odinga, Governor Orengo said that the government must first agree to repeal the finance act, 2023 before negotiations could begin.

“The condition for meaningful negotiations is that all the provisions of the finance act 2023 must be repealed” said the senior counsel. By KNA