Court tells Arunga to serve parents, AG suit papers

By Judy Ogutu

Former TV presenter Esther Arunga is yet to serve the Attorney General (AG) with the papers in a suit she has filed against her parents and the Commissioner of Police.

On Monday, when the parties appeared before High Court Deputy Registrar S M Wahome, it emerged the papers had been served on the commissioner but not on the AG. Mr Edwin Okello represents the AG in the case.

It was then agreed she serves the AG within seven days. Her advocate, Mr Harun Ndubi, will also serve the other respondents with hearing notices for the case.

Arunga moved to court in early March accusing her parents of interfering with her personal life.

She has sued the parents — Dr Robert Arunga and Mrs Petoline Arunga, the doctor who performed psychiatric tests on her and police officers. When she went to court in March, High Court judge, Lady Justice Jeanne Gacheche, declined to issue temporary restraining orders against her parents saying it was a matter between parents and their daughter.

Esther had sought temporary orders restrain her parents from interfering with her rights and freedom.

She also wanted the court to stop her parents from having physical control over her.

According to Esther, police acting on her parents’ instructions, confiscated her personal belongings including her mobile phone, national identity card and passport.

Esther claims the officers abused their power through arbitrary arrest and detention. Further, she alleges the officers and the doctor were working under the influence of her parents. She argued her detention at her parents’ house was illegal and a breach of her constitutional rights and freedom. The case comes up on May 26.