The spotlight is shining on Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i Interior Ministry after a report by Auditor General Nancy Gathungu revealed that the ministry paid out Ksh 389 million in penalties for disobeying court orders.
The payments were made for penalties incurred after the ministry ignored or disobeyed court orders with some of the penalties accruing interest over time.
The report, which covered up to the end of the 2019/ 2020 financial year, deemed the expense as avoidable.
Interior Ministry CS Fred Matiang'i/ Photo Courtesy
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The Ministry of Interior has been guilty of disobeying court orders in the recent past with one of the most prominent cases being that of Miguna Miguna.
The abrasive lawyer turned politician was deported from the country after taking part in ODM leader Raila Odinga's mock swearing-in at Uhuru Park.
The High Court, in February 2018, quashed orders issued by CS Fred Matiang'i declaring Miguna as a prohibited immigrant. The government was ordered to facilitate the return of Miguna to the country.
A month later, on March 29th, 2018, Justice George Odunga found CS Matiang'i, then Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet, and former Immigration Boss Gordon Kihalangwa in contempt of court after failing to facilitate Miguna's return.
The three were ordered to pay a Ksh 200,000 fine each with Justice Odunga describing CS Matiang'i as being 'notorious for disobeying court orders.
The Ksh 389 million penalties paid by the Interior Ministry are but a drop in the ocean as it is faced with unsettled claims totalling Ksh 1.92 billion.
