BY SAM ALFAN.
Orange Democratic Movement Elections Board Chairman Judith Pareno has been reprimanded for condoning corruption and electoral malpractice process during the party nominations.
She was found guilty of disobeying express court order regarding Mohoroni Constituency ODM nominations but was let out of the hook.
“1 Respondent (Pareno) took action, sat on a corrupted process and presented same to court as compliance, or is it to put it in her own words partial compliance with the Court order” Observed Judge Lesiit.
The Judge further said Muhoroni Constituency under ODM Party Rules and Regulations was not classified in Zone C for which the party could give direct nomination. There had to be nomination by Universal suffrage, an actual one, not one that is stage manage as happened in this case.
“Let me remind the 1 respondent that the appellant and 4 respondent are respected and honorable members of ODM party. The least they expected of the Party was fairness in the entire nomination process. Not equity but fairness. There was no fairness at all at the tail end of the process” said Judge Lesiit.
The Judge also reminded Judith Pareno that she is a very senior person in the ODM party.
“The chair of the NEB. “This is not a mean position. Of all positions, this is where integrity is paramount importance. You are also a woman. A mother. Mothers are nurturers, patient, caring, understanding and deal fairly with all. The other members of the family look up to them to bring the family together not to scatter” judge told Pareno.
The Judge also told Pareno as the chair of NEB, it was her responsibility to ensure the nomination process went smoothly, fairly, freely and credibility.
“Corruption should not have been countenanced, least of all by you. It was in your interest and party and the party interest to ensure credible process whose integrity should not be in doubt. And it was your duty to ensure this did not. You had duties and responsibilities. You should have led by example” judge told Pareno in the ruling.
The learned judge reminded Pareno she’s a lawyer, an officer of the court, member of legal profession and the company of learned friends.
In a ten page ruling, the Judge ended it by remind Pareno about what Mr Tudor taught in the school of law.
” If she met Tudor Jackson at Kenya school of law, he taught professional Ethics and Etiquette. How to behave as a professional, with courtesy. To carry oneself with dignity and to honour authority and respect the law”
