Court Slaps Matiang'i, Boinnet with Sh200,000 Fine Each

The High Court on Thursday slapped Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet and former Immigration Director Gordon Kihalangwa with Sh200,000 after they were convicted for contempt of court on Wednesday.

Issuing the ruling at Milimani Law Courts, Justice George Odunga ordered the fines be deducted from their next month's salaries.

"The money will be deducted from their salaries. The registrar should make sure this happens," he said at the court.

The judge termed as arrogant the refusal by the three top government officials to appear before the court as directed.

"The respondents are in charge of security systems in the country, if they have no knowledge of the events that have been widely covered by the media then they do not deserve to hold such office," Odunga stated.

Odunga, however, declined to issue warrants of arrest against the trio, arguing that the orders would be in vain, since their juniors cannot arrest them.

"None of their juniors will hold them in custody. This court cannot make orders in vain.. I must make sure the laws are abided by," he said.

"I am surprised that the respondents would avoid coming to court. It is clear that their status has displayed an arrogance of unimaginable magnitude," he said.

The judge also noted that the manner in which the three conducted themselves fails to inspire confidence of their capacity to hold the offices.

"I am not prepared to believe that they are not aware of these orders. If they have knowledge, then they should not occupy the positions they occupy," the judge said.

He also found that they violated Article 10 of the Constitution on National values and principles of governance.

The three had been summoned to appear in court in person to explain why self-declared National Resistance Movement (NRM) general had not been released from custody at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, despite the court directing he be freed.

They, however, declined to appear in person and sent their lawyers. They also ignored orders by the court to release Miguna.

Contempt of court attracts a penalty of six months in jail or a fine of Sh200,000 or both.