The driver of Kibera Member of Parliament Peter Orero has been fined KSh 100,000 or twelve months imprisonment after admitting to dangerous overtaking during a traffic incident along Oloitoktok Road in Nairobi.
George Oduor, who recently made headlines following a confrontation with journalist Larry Madowo, appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Rose Ndombi at the Milimani Law Courts, where he pleaded guilty to the charge.
Dangerous Overtaking Incident
According to the charge sheet presented in court, the offence occurred on October 9, 2025, around 2:40 p.m. along Oloitoktok Road within Nairobi County.
Oduor, who was driving a Toyota Prado registration number KBN 546S, dangerously overtook a line of vehicles, contravening the Traffic Rules under Cap 403 of the Laws of Kenya.
The incident drew public attention after a video circulated online showing the altercation between Oduor and BBC journalist Larry Madowo, during which the driver was heard referring to Madowo as “takataka” — a Swahili term meaning “trash.”
The footage sparked debate across social media platforms, with Kenyans criticizing the growing culture of impunity among drivers of VIPs and state officials.
Court Proceedings
During the hearing, Oduor admitted to the offence but pleaded for leniency, claiming he was in a rush to drop his boss at the airport and did not intend to endanger anyone.
“This was my first mistake, Your Honour. I was rushing to the airport for official duties. I ask for forgiveness and promise it won’t happen again,” Oduor told the court.
The prosecution, however, opposed leniency, insisting that the act was intentional and reckless, and that it endangered other road users. They urged the court to impose a stiff penalty as a deterrent to other motorists.
Magistrate’s Ruling
In her ruling, Senior Principal Magistrate Rose Ndombi emphasized the seriousness of the offence and noted that the law provides for a fine of up to KSh 100,000 or imprisonment.
“I have considered the law under which the accused has been charged. The same provides for a fine of KSh 100,000 or imprisonment. I therefore impose the maximum fine of KSh 100,000 or twelve months in prison,” ruled Magistrate Ndombi.
Oduor promptly paid the fine to avoid serving the sentence.
Public Reaction and Broader Implications
The ruling has been widely welcomed by Kenyans as a strong message that no one is above the law, regardless of political affiliation or position.
It also highlights the ongoing crackdown on reckless driving and VIP impunity on Kenyan roads, a matter that has long concerned both road users and law enforcement authorities.
Legal analysts have noted that the Traffic Act (Cap 403) empowers courts to impose strict penalties on offenders, particularly in cases where the act of overtaking poses a threat to public safety.
Next Steps
The court closed the case after the accused settled the fine in full. However, road safety advocates have urged the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to monitor repeat offenders and review the driving privileges of those found guilty of serious traffic violations.