Court bars Governor Lonyangapuo’s arrest, for now
Rift Valley
By
Osinde Obare
| Dec 03, 2018
West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo. He has been granted temporary barring his arrest, detention and prosecution. [Photo, File]
High Court sitting in Kitale on Monday issued temporary injunction restraining police from arresting West Pokot Governor Prof John Lonyangapuo for aiding a suspect escape from lawful custody.
Judge Hillary Chemitei allowed a request by Lonyangapuo to restrain Police Inspector General Joseph Boinnet, Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Co-ordination of National Government Fred Matiang'i and Director of Public Prosecution Noordin Haji from arresting, detaining or charging him.
The judge also issued orders compelling the respondents to reinstate police officers seconded to guard Governor Lonyangapuo.
The case hearing is set for December 13, 2018.
READ MORE
Iran war a blessing in disguise for Lamu Port
State roots for value addition to boost industrial output
Kenya eyes new trade deals as Chinese VP lands in Nairobi
How PwC freeze casts shadow on Kenya infrastructure agenda
Sh650 billion project: Questions raised over Ruto's Naivasha-Kisumu-Malaba SGR expansion plan
Ketraco gets nod to reappoint board after petition struck out
Kenya targets 240,000 youth jobs in fisheries sector expansion
Kenya's insurance industry faces its claims moment
Co-op Bank posts Sh29.75b profit, proposes a record Sh14.67 billion dividend
Through lawyer Peter Wanyama. Governor Lonyangapuo had sought orders to bar police from arresting him in connection with an incident that took place at a roadblock on the Kitale-Lodwar Highway.
On November 28, the Governor allegedly confronted police officers at a roadblock near Safari Hotel on Kapenguria-Lodwar road and removed the metal spikers erected by police before ordering officers to unconditionally release a boda-boda rider they had detained.
The governor was reportedly angered by police action to detain and handcuff the rider on his motorcycle
Several leaders from West Pokot led by County Speaker Catherine Mukenyang and leader of majority Thomas Ngolesia accompanied Governor Lonyangapuo’s lawyer to secure the orders.
‘I hereby grant the applicant the orders sought pending the hearing of the case. The respondents are restrained from taking action against him,’’ the judge ruled.