When debts haunted high profile figures

Paul Ngei: Post-independence Cabinet minister and one of the celebrated Kapenguria Six was the first Kenyan politician to be adjudged bankrupt on June 14, 1990. Numerous business ventures failed and trappings of power disappeared and Mr Ngei was forced to resign in 1991. Thereafter, his health began to fail and had both his legs amputated due to diabetes. He spent his last years in a wheelchair until he died in 2004.

Karim Kurji: On March 17, 2017, the High Court declared the businessman bankrupt after he was unable to pay debts amounting to Sh40 million. He petitioned the court to declare him bankrupt after creditors obtained judgements requiring him to pay up. He said he was unable to satisfy a court decree against him and accordingly filed for bankruptcy. The judge directed the deputy registrar to appoint a trustee for his  estate.

David Murathe: The former Gatanga MP and Jubilee Alliance Party vice-chairman filed for bankruptcy after being overwhelmed by debts upon losing his parliamentary seat in 2002.  The politician later moved to court to quash the orders after paying the debts and was discharged.

Gideon Mwiti: The immediate former Imenti Central MP is on the brink of being bankrupt over alleged inability to pay a bank loan of Sh6.1 million obtained through a pyramid scheme. Mr Mwiti’s application to set aside a bankruptcy notice issued by a magistrate’s court on April 22, 2005 was dismissed in March. Diamond Trust Bank moved to court in 2008 seeking to declare Mr Mwiti bankrupt after he and the fallen Akiba Micro-Finance Ltd failed to repay the loan.

Philip Moi: On May 30, 2012, former President Moi’s son filed for bankruptcy and a judge granted him temporary orders stopping any claims and debts from being lodged against him. The judge issued the orders after the Attorney-General presented a report on his financial affairs. He was then embroiled in a messy divorce and maintenance legal battle with his estranged wife Rosanna Pluda. The High Court had ordered him to pay his wife a monthly upkeep of Sh250,000.

Kijana Wamalwa: In 2002, the late former Vice-President was on the verge of being declared bankrupt over a debt of Sh3.4 million he owed Victoria Commercial Bank. Then Ford-Kenya leader, Mr Wamalwa told the High Court that if his application to block the receiving order was not heard urgently, his political career will be put in jeopardy. He argued he was not given a chance to defend himself before the judgement was delivered. The party leaders rallied behind him.

Jackson Mwangi: He is a politician associated with the defunct TNA party. Mr Mwangi was jailed in January for failing to pay his debts. He filed voluntary bankruptcy and urged the court to release him from prison pending the hearing of his petition. The politician admitted he borrowed heavily to a tune of Sh9 million to boost his two unsuccessful election campaigns. He was committed to civil jail last year and High Court has since issued a receiving order over his estate.

Jonesmus Mwanzia Kikuyu: In 1999, the former Machakos Town MP faced a bankruptcy suit over a debt of Sh154,435 he allegedly owed the defunct Electoral Commission of Kenya. The money arose from costs awarded by the court to a law firm Adere and Company Advocates who had acted for a returning officer in the 1992 poll.

Njenga Mungai:  The former Molo MP faced bankruptcy charges in 1999 after Barclays Bank petitioned the High Court to declare him insolvent over an unpaid debt. The court later set aside the orders and he was let off the hook.

Dalmas Otieno: Former Rongo MP is currently fighting a bankruptcy suit in the Court of Appeal over a debt of Sh20 million he owes Twiga Motors Ltd.

The High Court in 2009 ordered the former minister to settle the debt after admitting he indeed owned the motor dealer. The initial principal amount was 12.7 million but the figure has risen to Sh20 million owing to interest and court costs.