Man jailed over Sh200,000 debt

Kisii Senior Resident Magistrate Symple Makila has sent a middle aged man to civil jail after he failed to honour an initial court agreement.

Hillary Ondara Obutu had been adjudged by a court decree to pay a sum of Sh200, 000.

On Friday during his sentencing, the decree-holder through his advocate Wikins Ochoki was demanding a payment of Sh307,337. This is after Sh100,000 more had been spent in Ondara’s search in various towns including; Nyamira, Nairobi and Mombasa.

The accused told the Court that he only had Sh20, 000 in his pocket and could pay the remaining amount after selling out some of his properties a move the defense lawyer said was unacceptable by his client.

"My client is not comfortable with the suspect being released not unless he clears the entire amount. He cannot be trusted anymore," said Ochoki.

The warrant of arrest was issued to the OCS Nyamira Police Station in November 16, 2018 by the Kisii Court and since then the plaintiff together with police officers have been looking for the accused.

The accused is said to have received Sh200,000 from the plaintiff in May 10, 2018 with a promise to get the decree-holder a job opportunity in Nyamira County Government. The money was paid through Ondara’s Kenya Commercial Bank account 1202720455.

“The suspect will be released once he clears the entire amount,” ruled Ms Makila.

Several other people claiming to have given thousands of money to the accused thronged the court premises with others having obtained more warrant of arrests.

The issue of locals having forced to part with huge sums of money to get employment opportunities in the Nyamira County Government has hit the area in the recent past.

Area Governor John Nyagarama was forced to freeze any pending employment as questions emerged on who could have issued illegal employment letters.

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