Seroney family compensation case yet to be heard 5 years later

The Attorney General is on the spot for failing to put in a reply in a five-year old case involving the late John Marie Seroney filed by his widow and five children.

The court, last year November gave the advocates appearing for AG 40 days to respond to Zippora Seroney and children allegations of illegal mistreatment of the family by Former President Daniel Moi’s regime.

In the petition, the former president was listed as the first respondent for allegedly being at the centre of predicaments which befell the Saroney family.

Justice Chacha Mwita had however advised the aggrieved family, through their advocate, to amend the petition and list Attorney General as the major respondent as he is a government representative.

In the petition, Mrs. Seroney says that the then president ensured that her late husband who was vocal politically, got arrested while conducting parliamentary business in the National Assembly and held incommunicado.

According to the petition, Mr. Seroney was detained without trial at Manyani maximum security prison and later transferred to Kamiti maximum prison. All this time, his advocates and even close family members were not allowed to visit or see him.

Further, the family contends that they were evicted from their 1.5-acre piece of land which accommodated their home in Kibois, Tindaret and their land was taken away by government agents. In the eviction process after his death, the court document states that his daughter was gang raped by officers.

The petition further states that the family had to relocate to the United States to flee from the frustration.

Mr. Seroney served as an MP between 1961 to 1975 when he is alleged to have been detained without trial under the preservation of Public Security Act until December 11, 1978.

He served in the first Parliament from 1970-1974, He was a member of 3rd Parliament in 1975 in which he served as Deputy Speaker. He also served as member of legislative council from 1961 to 1963.

Justice Chacha Mwita, seated in Nairobi High Court directed the office of AG to strictly file response to the allegations within 14 days without fail. The case will be heard on May 31, 2018.