Iringo arrest warrant lifted as he appears before court
Interior and National Coordination Principal Secretary Mutea Iringo at a past event. A pending warrant of arrest against him has been lifted. BILLY MUTAI (NAIROBI)
What you need to know:
- The PS was Wednesday accompanied by OCPD Central Mr Patrick Oduma to the Milimani Law Court in compliance to the orders of arrest and he explained that his ministry had run out of money but was negotiating with Treasury for additional funds.
- The PS said he was aware there was a pending appeal lodged by the Attorney General Githu Muigai against the award.
A pending warrant of arrest against the Interior and National Coordination Principal Secretary Mutea Iringo has been lifted.
The PS finally honoured court summonses and appeared at the High Court Wednesday evening to answer claims that he has not complied with court orders to pay claims arising from civil cases against the government.
Justice George Odunga Monday ordered the Inspector general, Mr David Kimaiyo, to enforce the arrest warrants and ensure that Mr Iringo was paraded in court immediately to “show cause” why contempt proceedings should not be started against him.
The PS was Wednesday accompanied by OCPD Central Mr Patrick Oduma to the Milimani Law Court in compliance to the orders of arrest and he explained that his ministry had run out of money but was negotiating with Treasury for additional funds.
“The ministry’s office is committed to ensure that all claims are settled...we are in talks with the Treasury to seek further funding to pay the claimants,” the PS said.
He said there were numerous claims against the State and “we are out of funds.”
The PS begged for more time to settle the pending claims and was given a reprieve.
One of the cases that shot to the limelight recently relates to a Tanzanian claiming Sh31 million for illegal arrest and torture. Another is lodged by a police officer shot, arrested and later charged with theft but acquitted for lack of evidence.
A similar case is against a businessman claiming damages for lost business over his impounded vehicle at a yard in Kariobangi, Nairobi.
The Tanzanian, Mr James Alfred Koroso, sued for special damages following his arrest and torture in December 19 1993 and the government was to pay him a sum of Sh31,576,584 with an accrued interest of 6 per cent from the date of the award, but which has not been honoured to date.
On Wednesday, the PS said he was aware there was a pending appeal lodged by the Attorney General Githu Muigai against the award.
In affidavits filed in court Mr Koroso says, “In spite of the award, the respondent has continued to default and his plaint unsuccessful. ”
The litigant said he is seeking costs in terms of loss of income from business and legal expenses.
While granting the award, a court had directed that the prosecution incurs the cost of Mr Koroso’s legal expenses.
The case was appealed against, with the government losing a second time and a three-judge bench instead enhanced an earlier Sh21 million award to Sh31 million in the determination.
The case will be mentioned on March 12.
