By WAHOME THUKU
Nairobi, Kenya: A Nairobi lawyer has instituted private criminal prosecution proceedings against Senior Deputy Solicitor General Muthoni Kimani for alleged contempt of court.
Lawyer Gitau Mwara filed the case at the Nairobi Chief Magistrate Court accusing Kimani of disobeying an order to pay him Sh4.7 million awarded by the High Court for unlawful detention. He has also preferred charges of abuse of office and conspiracy to defeat justice against her.
The lawyer, a former political detainee also wants Kimani’s application for the vacant position of Solicitor General rejected by the Public Service Commission (PSC). The office fell vacant two weeks ago following the resignation of Wanjuki Muchemi.
The case highlights a struggle between former political detainees and the Attorney General over payment of millions of shillings awarded as damages for violation of human rights.
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Mwara was arrested and detained at Kamiti Maximum Security Prison between October 1990 and June 1992 over political activities.
He later sued the State for violation of his rights. In June 2010, the High Court awarded Mwara Sh4,749,122 as compensation.
The Attorney General issued a decree to all Permanent Secretaries to comply and pay out compensation.
