Nakuru court orders arrest of Mohamed Swazuri and 3 others for ignoring court orders

Nakuru, Kenya: The Environment and Lands Court in Nakuru has issued warrant of arrest against National Land Commission chair Mohamed Swazuri and three Commissioners for ignoring Court Orders.

Justice Silas Munyao directed the Inspector General Joseph Boinett to effect the arrest and escort the four commissioners to Nakuru GK Prison unless each commissioner pays Sh250,000 fine.

Swazuri and Tomiik Mbaya Koyimbih, Abigael Mbagaya and Emma Muthoni Njogu had been summoned to appear in Court yesterday to explain why action should not be taken against them for contempt.

However, the four commissioners did not honour the court summons forcing the court to issue the orders.

“Today was their day to mitigate before punishment maybe meted out. Despite being served they have failed to appear. I have no option but to mete out what I consider to be an appropriate punishment given the nature of contempt displayed,” Munyao ruled.

The Contempt of Court proceedings were instituted after the Swazuri led Commission held meetings over controversial parcel of land belonging to Lomolo Estate situated in Mogotio, Baringo County.

NLC held the meeting despite a court order issued on January 27, 2015 prohibiting the commission from undertaking any dealing concerning the 3500 acre parcel of land pending the hearing of a court case.

NLC had placed a newspaper advertisement on January 19, 2015 signalling its intention to make an inquiry into the title of the land.

Despite NLC being served with the stay orders, it convened a meeting on February 12, 2015 and did an inquiry of the said parcel of land stating that they had been appointed by the people of Kenya and that no High Court could stop them.

 “I punish the four contemnors to a fine of Sh250,000 each and in default of paying such fine to a jail sentence of three months for contempt of Court,” the  court ruled.