Kinoti Suffers Another Blow in Bid to Stop Kamiti Imprisonment

DCI Boss George Kinoti Speaking during a press conference at DCI headquarters on March 5, 2020.
DCI Boss George Kinoti Speaking during a press conference at DCI headquarters on March 5, 2020.
Simon Kiragu
Kenyans.co.ke

The Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) George Kinoti has suffered another blow after High Court declined to suspend the four-month jail term over contempt of court.

Through Attorney General Paul Kihara Kariuki, the DCI boss sought for the judge to suspend the sentence and the imminent arrest, pending the hearing and determination of his application.

However, Justice Anthony Mrima declined to set aside the jail term. He further ordered the AG's application to be heard on Thursday, November 25.

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DCI Director George Kinoti drinks tea prepared and served by Gilbert Kibaara
DCI

Kinoti's four month sentence was issued by Judge Mrima on November 18, 2021 after he pointed out that the DCI boss did not return the firearms belonging to Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) politician Jimmy Wanjigi. 

Mrima noted that Kinoti had been given the orders in 2019 but disregarded the rule by not returning the firearms. The ruling was also reiterated in February 2021, after the court issued orders for the guns to be returned to the politician.

After various court summons by the judge, DCI boss Kinoti however, failed to present himself in person to answer to the charges which led to the ruling. 

In his defence, Kinoti noted that the arrest would cause irreparable damage due to the office that he holds. He added that with his duties and mandate, he ought to focus on protecting the security of the country and region.

The setback comes after Kinoti's initial application was declined by Justice Anthony Ndung'u, who declined to grant in his favour. 

“I have considered the application. Whereas the matter is urgent given the imminent incarceration of the applicant (Kinoti) and noting that the impugned orders are by a Judge of the High Court and cognizant of the court's jurisdiction in judicial review and the limitations thereto,

it is my considered view that this is not an appropriate case for grant of the sought orders ex parte,” Justice Ndung'u stated.

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Police Officers at the Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi on Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Kenyans.co.ke
Simon Kiragu
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