The High Court has sentenced Defence Permanent Secretary (PS) Dr ibrahim Mohammed to six months in jail after he was found guilty of contempt.
Justice Jairus Ngaah issued the sentence after the PS failed to obey court orders directing him to pay five ex-military officers Sh12.5 Million for illegal detention during the 1982 coup.
“I find that the PS(Mohammed) guity for failing to turn up in court and mitigate why he has not obeyed court orders. I, therefore, commit him to six months civil jailed”ordered Justice Ngaah.
As per the Constitution, contempt of court offence is punishable by a jail term of up to six months, or a fine not exceeding Sh200,000.
While issuing the sentence Justice Ngaah said that the PS had failed to honour a judgement that was delivered on November 14, 2017 directing him to pay the officers namely Joseph Kipkurui, Rotich yopsoi, Joel bernard lekukuton, Jason Leariong ,James Lesiopa Longipo and william Leaduma Seketian the millions of shillings.
This is after the former Military officers who were fired and detained for allegedly taking part in the failed coup petitioned the court seeking for compensation having served in the force between the year 1975 and 1982, 30years after the alleged violation took place.
According documents filed in court, the officers says that in August 1982 there was a mutiny and attempted coup in Kenya where several armed forces were killed and while others were arrested.
The five officers informed the court that following the coup they were entangled in the entire scene leading to not only their discharge from the forces but also their detention and imprisonment in certain cases.
They further argued their rights had violated for unlawful detention and lost their liberty by being treated inhumane by being locked up in waterlogged and dark cells by the state for false claims.
