The family of the late James Odera Ojijo has been awarded Ksh2 Million in damages for illegal detainment and torture that he was subjected to in the Nyayo Chambers.
The former aide of Kenya’s first Vice President, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, was a victim of the ordeal 32 years ago.
Reports indicate that Ojijo was arrested back in 1987 by the security forces under the leadership of President Daniel Moi.
He was taken into custody for allegedly being part of an illegal group existing at the time by the name Mwakenya. He was then detained for 73 days without trial even as he was constantly being tortured.
Ojijo was later sent to jail to serve a term of five years.
He died 10 years later under circumstances that the family claimed manifested from the torture and conditions he was put under at Nyayo House.
Making the Court ruling on Friday, High Court Judge Fred Ochieng' indicated that the prolonged detention constituted to inhumane treatment.
The daughter, Rachael Ojijo, had filed a suit earlier in 2010 seeking justice and compensation but it was unsuccessful.
In the suit, the judge was adamant that the family did not have sufficient evidence to prove that Ojijo was tortured and was deserving of meaningful damages for the same.
Justice Ochieng’ was keen to mention that the award of the Ksh2 Million was not for the claimed torture but for the delay in the arraignment of the late Ojijo into a court of law.
Ojijo’s son, James Odera, indicated to Citizen Digital that he welcomed the ruling although the award was nothing short of insufficient.
There have been a number of prominent personalities in Kenya who have been to court involving alleged torture at Nyayo House. Among them is the famous Kenyan political, the late Kenneth Matiba.
