A city lawyer has earned a tidy sum of Ksh4 million following an arbitrary arrest by the police.
The High Court on Tuesday ordered six police officers to pay lawyer Steven Nzaku the money after he was arrested and detained illegally.
Besides, the officers were ordered to pay 19 other people a total sum of Ksh3.8 million after they were apprehended and incarcerated at Ongata Rongai police station.
Making the order, Judge Reuben Nyakundi directed that no state money should be used to pay the cash implying that each of the six officers involved will have to part with Ksh1.3 million.
"I find that the petitioners are entitled to general exemplary damages in addition to a declaration on the violation of their constitutional rights," Justice Nyakundi stated.
Following the directive, each of the 19 complainants is set to receive Ksh200,000.
In their defense, the six officers had argued that the petitioners were "idle and disorderly".
The High Court, however, found the officers guilty of violating the rights of arrested persons and right for representation.
According to Court filings made on December 16, 2016, the 19 petitioners were unlawfully arrested around Tumaini Supermarket, Ongata Rongai, while engaging in normal business on the evening of June 4, 2016.
After being bundled into a police vehicle, two of the petitioners called lawyer Steven Nzaku to come to their aid.
Upon his arrival, Nzaku explained his mission but was instead met by threats of arrest and was chased away by the officers before being later arrested for allegedly causing disturbance when he followed up his clients at the station.
They were held in the police vehicle until 12.20am on June 5, 2016, when they were taken to Ongata Rongai police station, booked and placed in custody without being informed of their offences.
