IG Joseph Boinett to appear in court for failing to arrest PS Torome over Sh17 million

Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinett at a past conference. [PHOTO: BONIFACE OKENDO]

NAIROBI, KENYA; The High Court has summoned the Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet for failing to arrest Defence Principal Secretary Saitoti Torome.

Torome, who is wanted for failure to appear in court over Sh17 million was to be jailed on Monday for contempt.

"I do not understand why the PS who is the accounting officer does not want to pay the applicant's, he may be enjoying some protection which is the reason why he does not want to appear in court,” the Judge said.

Last month, the same court sentenced the PS to six months in civil jail for contempt and was issued with another warrant on November 30 through the office of the Inspector General.

In the suit, Eunice Makori and Hellen Makone moved to court in 2009 to sue Torome, through Inspector General Joseph Boinnet. They failed to compensate them for the surrender of Johnson Onduko's land in Mombasa town to the government.

Makori and Makone said being the administrator and personal representatives of the estate of Makori, the government failed to pay them Sh9.2 million, plus interest, in 2006, when the land was given to the government.

The applicants say in June 2015, a judgment was delivered and they were awarded money for compensation.

They said the judgment and orders given by the judge were served on Torome, Boinnet and the then Attorney General, Amos Wako, and they acknowledged receipt.

The PS filed an affidavit in June saying he is the accounting officer in the ministry and does not owe the applicant any money.

He added that he is aware that any liability or expenditure incurred against the government can only be defrayed from moneys provided by Parliament.

"Parliament has not provided my ministry with adequate funds to settle the applicant's claim," Torome said.

Inspector General Joseph Boinnet is expected in court on December 13.