Matiang’i, Boinnet fined Ksh.200,000 for contempt in Miguna case

The High Court has fined Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet and Immigration Principal Secretary Gordon Kihalangwa Ksh.200,000 each for contempt of court.

Justice George Odunga ruled that the amount be deducted from their salaries in April.

Contempt of court attracts a penalty of six months in prison or a fine of Ksh.200,000.

On Wednesday, the judge ruled that Matiang’i, Boinnet and Kihalangwa were guilty for contempt of several court orders related to the detention of besieged lawyer Miguna Miguna.

He therefore ruled that the three senior government officials appear in court on Thursday at 10am for their sentencing.

“If the respondents will not appear in person before me tomorrow, I will proceed to sentence them in their absence,” Justice Odunga ruled.

The three failed to appear in court as ordered and the judgement was delivered without them.

Judge Odunga had previously directed that Miguna, who had earlier been detained at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport be released unconditionally.

However, the State disregarded the order and had Miguna deported to Dubai on Wednesday night.