Govt ordered to release information on 4 Kenyans jailed in South Sudan

The government has been given 14 days to respond in a case where four Kenyans have been jailed for life in South Sudan.

High Court Judge Chacha Mwita gave out the directions after the applicants told the court that the respondents – government – are yet to respond to their application.

The matter will be mentioned on the 21st of March this year.

Kenya Human Rights Commission sued the state protesting the sentencing of four Kenyans in South Sudan.

In the court documents filed last year, KHRC argues that the arrest and detention of the four in a military installation was oppressive and a violation of their rights contrary to the Constitution of Kenya, that of South Sudan and international laws.

“KHRC seeks to demonstrate to the court that the Kenyan Government failed to take measures to protect her national interest,” argues KHCR.

The rights group has also accused the government of hiding crucial information from families of the four Kenyans sentenced to life in prison for the alleged theft of billions of shillings from the South Sudanese Government.

Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed, her Principal Secretary and Attorney General Githu Muigai have been named as respondents in the case.

The four, Anthony Mwadime, Ravi Ramesh, Boniface Muriuki and Anthony Keya Munialo, were jailed in June 2015 after their arrest on May 29, 2015 by the National Security Service of the Government of South Sudan together with Peter Muriuki Nkonge who has since been released.

The four are formerly employees of a company known as Click Technologies limited owned by John Ogou, a politician and brother-in-law of South Sudan President Salva Kiir.

KHRC wants the state compelled to release information regarding the case and a declaration be made that the sentence granted to them is unlawful as per the Kenyan Constitution, South Sudan laws as well as the international law.