The case was filed by Kakamega County resident Stephen Otieno, who says he moved to court in the public interest under Articles 3, 22, and 258 of the Constitution.
According to the petition, Otieno argues that there is growing public concern regarding the governor’s handling of a criminal complaint in which Barasa had alleged that he was extorted Ksh450 million.
Court documents indicate that the petitioner relied on media reports and publicly available court records relating to criminal proceedings initiated by the governor at the Chief Magistrate’s Court at Kibera Law Courts.
The petition references Criminal Case No. E988 of 2024, Republic versus Rashid Echesa Mohammed and Joseph Lendrix Waswa, as well as Criminal Case No. E731 of 2024, Republic versus William Simiyu Matere.
According to the court papers, Otieno is seeking judicial intervention to determine whether the governor acted in a manner consistent with constitutional expectations surrounding integrity and accountability in public office.
The petitioner argues that the issues raised in the matter are of significant public interest due to the amount involved and the wider implications for public confidence in leadership and governance.
The filing adds a new legal dimension to the controversy surrounding the alleged extortion claims, which have continued to attract attention in both political and legal circles.
Otieno contends that public officers are expected to uphold the highest standards of conduct and transparency, especially when handling matters that involve criminal allegations and substantial sums of money.
The petition further seeks clarification on whether the governor’s conduct and the circumstances surrounding the criminal complaints meet the constitutional threshold required of state officers under Chapter Six of the Constitution.
The High Court is now expected to consider the issues raised in the petition, including whether the matter warrants constitutional interpretation and further judicial scrutiny.