David Kimaiyo ordered to arrest Interior Principal Secretary Mutea Iringo

By Kurian Musa

Nairobi, Kenya: The High Court has ordered Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo to arrest Interior PS Mutea Iringo over an alleged refusal to pay a court award of Sh31 million emanating from a civil case.

Justice George Odunga sitting in Nairobi ordered Mr Kimaiyo to ensure that Iringo was arrested and arraigned in court immediately to explain why contempt of court proceedings should not be commenced against him.

“The Inspector General is forthwith ordered to arrest the PS Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National government and bring him to court to show cause why he should not be cited for contempt of court and punished accordingly,” Justice Odunga said.

Wrongful arrest

The order issued against the PS is for wrongful arrest and torture of James Koroso.

Curiously, the Interior PS was present in court when Odunga issued the orders against him and issued a mention date for the case filed by Mr Koroso, the complainant.

Mr Iringo walked out of court and did not speak to journalists.

Mr Koroso filed the case in court in the judicial review division where he sought the intervention of the court to have the award honoured.

The applicant also alleged in the court that he has received threats on his life while pursuing the compensation.

He wants the AG to pay him a total of about Sh31.5 million, after successfully challenging his arrest and assault under police custody.

Koroso was arrested and charged with robbery with violence in 1993 before being acquitted.

The applicant says the police arrested him at Taita Taveta and wrongly and unlawfully detained him in various police stations across the country.

Police are reported to have inflicted physical injuries on him as well as deprived him of freedom and liberty during his incarceration.

The judge ordered that he be paid damages incorporating aggravated and exemplary damages for arrest, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, assault and battery.

“Despite the award being given, the respondent has defaulted,” read the suit papers.