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Court lifts warrant of arrest for MP charged with assaulting fellow lawmaker


A warrant of arrest issued against Laikipia North MP Mathew Lempurkel, who is facing charges of assaulting a colleague at the office of a Cabinet Secretary, has been lifted.

Milimani senior resident magistrate Ms Hellen Okwanyi had issued the warrant of arrest on January 18, 2017 after Mr Lempurkel failed to turn up in court.

The MP, who has denied assaulting nominated MP, Sarah Korere, at Interior CS Joseph ole Nkaissery’s Harambee House office, told the court he was unwell.

He presented to the court some medical notes then pleaded with the magistrate to lift the warrant she had issued and also reinstate his bond.

“I’m sorry I did not turn up for trial on January 18. I was unwell. I apply you lift the warrant of arrest you issued and also reinstate my cash bail,” Mr Lempurkel submitted.

DENIED CHARGES

A state prosecutor Daniel Karuri did not oppose the plea to lift the warrant of arrest but sought time to verify the medical notes availed to the court by the ODM legislator.

“I don’t oppose the request by the MP to lift the warrant but I require time to verify the authenticity of the medical report produced by the accused,” Mr Karuri.

Mr Lempurkel has denied that he assaulted Ms Korere occasioning her bodily harm on November 21, 2016 at Harambee House and is out on a cash bail of Sh200,000.

The case was listed for hearing January 18 but failed to kick off after the MP failed to turn up in court compelling Mr Karuri to apply for a warrant of arrest and cancellation of the cash bail.