"People Have Been Mocking Me": Jailed MP John Waluke’s Wife Regrets Launching Fundraiser to Bail Out Husband
Roseline Nakhanu, the wife of jailed Sirisia MP John Waluke says she regrets launching a fund drive to raise money to bail out her husband.
Speaking to People Daily, Nakhanu said she has been subjected to ridicule and abuse after she set up an MPesa pay bill to raise funds to secure her corrupt spouse’s freedom.
Waluke was on June 25th, 2020 handed a 67-year jail sentence after he was found guilty of defrauding the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) over Sh300 million. To avoid serving the jail term, he was ordered to pay a fine amounting to Sh727 million.
Determined to raise the hefty amount, Mrs. Waluke set up a pay bill and called on well-wishers to contribute. She told People Daily that nearly Sh400,000 has been raised through the pay bill number.
The family has so far managed to raise Sh250 million, which includes Sh100 million contribution from a senior politician close to Waluke, Sh6 million from Waluke’s colleagues in parliament while the family contributed Sh144 million after selling a property in Nairobi.
“I regret starting this fund-raiser to bail out my husband. People have been mocking me and hurling abuses at me instead of helping,” Nakhanu said.
“I wouldn’t have done it had I known things would turn out this way. I have left everything to God. Some are calling and telling me that they can’t contribute money for a thief.”
On the other hand, Waluke’s co-accused Grace Wakhungu could soon be set free after her family raised over Sh800,000 million in just one month.
Wakhungu, who hails from the powerful Awori family, was handed a similar jail sentence as Waluke’s and a fine of Sh707 million.
“In fact, we outdid ourselves by raising close to Sh800 million, being contributions from family members through the sale of assets locally and abroad, personal savings and ‘silent’ funds drives by friends,” a family member told People Daily.
Wakhungu is the mother of former Cabinet Secretary and current Kenyan ambassador to France Judi Wakhungu. Both Wakhungu and Waluke have appealed against their conviction and sentencing.