The driver for Kibera Member of Parliament Peter Orero has been convicted and fined Ksh 100,000 for dangerous driving, a case that has ignited a national conversation about privilege and traffic law enforcement in Kenya.
George Oduor, who was caught on camera in a viral altercation with CNN correspondent Larry Madowo, pleaded guilty to dangerously overtaking a line of vehicles along Oloitoktok Road in Nairobi. Milimani Principal Magistrate Rose Ndombi handed down the sentence on Monday, stating that failure to pay the maximum fine would result in a 12-month prison term.
The incident, which unfolded in heavy traffic, saw Oduor driving the MP’s Toyota Prado on the wrong side of the road. In the now widely-shared video, an argument ensued after Madowo confronted the driver for his actions. Oduor was heard telling the journalist to “take his grievances to President William Ruto,” a challenge Madowo later accepted in a follow-up video.
“I was rushing to the airport and there was traffic so I thought I could overtake to save time. I’m a first-time offender and I will not repeat the mistake,” Oduor told the court during his mitigation.
However, the prosecution pressed for the maximum penalty, arguing that the driver’s actions, as captured on camera, “reeked of impunity.” The magistrate’s sentence aligned with this stance, emphasizing the seriousness of the offence.
The case has drawn significant public attention, not only for the driver’s conviction but also for the conduct of the MP himself. In the aftermath of the video, MP Orero faced a barrage of public criticism for the language he used, which many perceived as arrogant.
The timing of the incident is particularly poignant, coming on the heels of a strong statement from the National Police Service (NPS). Just days before, NPS spokesperson Michael Muchiri had condemned the obstruction of traffic by individuals claiming VIP privileges. He clarified that only emergency vehicles, the President’s and Deputy President’s motorcades, and, in special circumstances, military convoys are permitted to disrupt traffic.
Echoing this sentiment, Traffic Police Commandant Fredrick Ochieng’ emphasized that officers should only interfere with traffic flow for incidents that take significant time to resolve. In a related revelation, Commandant Ochieng’ disclosed an ongoing investigation into a separate incident involving a vehicle with fake diplomatic plates caught driving on the wrong side of the road.
While some fellow MPs seemingly defended Orero, a few officials publicly criticized the act. Nairobi County Chief Environment Officer Geoffrey Mosiria promised to facilitate Madowo’s pledge to deliver the video evidence to President Ruto and urged residents to be equally proactive in recording similar instances of traffic impunity.
As Oduor paid his fine and was released, the case serves as a stark reminder that the long arm of the law can, and did, reach a driver acting on behalf of a powerful figure, setting a potential precedent in the fight against road entitlement.
