Nacada boss John Mututho ordered to pay Sh6m debt

By KURIAN MUSA

Nairobi, Kenya: The High Court in Nairobi has ordered National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) boss John Mututho to pay poll petition costs amounting to Sh6.4 million.

Mututho, who is also former Naivasha lawmaker, wanted the court to review an order directing him to pay Sh6 million to the law firm of the late Education Minister Mutula Kilonzo. The law firm, which represented Mututho in the case, sued the politician over failure to pay legal fees for an election petition.

Upon reading the application by Mutula Kilonzo and Company Advocates the court issued the orders.

Possible auction

“The court has read the supporting affidavit of John Michael Njenga Mututho sworn on July 25, 2013 together with his supportive documents and issued orders that he remits the legal fees to the company that represented him,” an order signed by the court registrar stated.

The matter was coming up before Justice Joel Onyancha to confirm whether Mututho had deposited the sum of Sh1 million. He asked for 21 days to deposit Sh1.3 million.

The court declined the proposal unless it was by consent but the applicants declined to consent and demanded full obedience of the order.

Mututho had been ordered by the court to deposit the cash by February 28, but he said he was unable to pay the cash instantly.

The High Court has declined to grant the orders sought by the Nacada boss after he told the court that he is apprehensive that his property could be auctioned to recover legal fees due to the law firm.

Mututho’s election had been challenged by former Naivasha MP Jane Kihara, but was dismissed by a Nakuru court.

The politician has offered to pay Sh2 million immediately and monthly installments of Sh1 million.