Appeals Court Suspends DCI Director George Kinoti’s Prison Sentence

The Appeals Court has temporarily suspended Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) George Kinoti’s four-month jail sentence and arrest warrant.

A three-judge bench comprising Justices Fatuma Sichale, Msagha Mbogholi, and K. Laibuta on Wednesday issued orders stopping the execution of the sentence pending a ruling on the matter on April 1st, 2022.

In an application, Kinoti asked the Appellate Court to grant the conservatory orders pending appeal. Through lawyer Cecil Miller, Kinoti argued that if the orders are not granted, his appeal would be rendered nugatory.

Kinoti was on November 18th handed a four-month prison sentence after he was found guilty of contempt of court after failing to comply with an order requiring him to return firearms seized from businessman Jimi Wanjigi in 2017. High Court judge Anthony Mrima in his ruling ordered that Kinoti be incarcerated at Kamiti Maximum Security Prison.

Lawyer Miller avers that judge Mrima failed to consider new evidence that was tabled before him.

On Tuesday, the High Court issued a warrant of arrest against Kinoti for contempt of court. The court directed Inspector-General of Police Hilary Mutyambai to effect the arrest of the DCI director and present him in court to face contempt charges.