Court orders arrest of Mombasa Finance CEC, Chief Officer

The High Court has ordered the arrest of Mombasa County Executive in charge of Finance Maryam Mbaruk and her Chief Officer Aisha Abdi.

Justice Erick Ogolla said the two should be jailed for six months for failing to pay Robinson Onyango Malombo Sh18.5 million as agreed in January.

On January 31 this year, Ogolla suspended warrants of arrest the court issued on December 6, 2018 against the officers for contempt of court.

Ms Mbaruk and Ms Abdi had been found in contempt of the court after the county failed to pay the money. But the warrant was suspended after the parties signed a consent in which the county committed to pay the debt in 60 days.

The court had ordered the county to pay the money; Sh15.1 million for legal services rendered and over Sh2.8 million in accrued interest.

Last week, the parties returned to court where the applicant's lawyer Charles Gomba informed Ogolla that the county had not paid the money.

Ogola said unless the county government pays lawyer Onyango the money the defaulters should be committed to a six-month jail term.

“In default (payment) a warrant of arrest has been issued after the expiry of the 60 days to settle the amount,” the judge said.

Ogola directed Mombasa police boss to return the warrant on or before September this year with an endorsement certifying the day it was executed or reasons why it was not executed.