Drama unfolded on the evening of Tuesday, October 29, at the Kisumu High Court when a Kisumu County Executive Committee Member (CECM) narrowly avoided imprisonment.
George Okong’o, the Kisumu CECM in charge of Finance, sought refuge in Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o’s office after sustaining minor injuries during an altercation between police officers and his aides.
Police officers attempted to re-arrest Okong’o after High Court Judge Shariff Mwanaisha suspended his sentence, instead imposing a fine of Ksh 200,000 in a contempt of court case involving the county’s failure to pay a contractor.
In her ruling, Justice Mwanaisha suspended the two-month conviction until December 19, 2024, to allow the county time to settle the pending bill with the contractor.
However, as soon as the judge adjourned for the day, uniformed and plainclothes police officers attempted to re-arrest Okong’o.
In the video seen by The Kenya Times, part of the CECM’s security alongside other county employees retaliated, barring the police from arresting the finance officer.
The standoff moved from the courtroom’s first-floor stairway towards the exit, with the melee resulting to injuries of several people as the big crowd jostled along the court corridors.
Drama at the Kisumu High Court
Police officers however insisted on re-arresting Okong’o amidst resistance from the crowd prompting the scuffle to continue outside the court towards City Hall which houses Governor Nyong’o’s office.
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The CECM got into the Governor’s office which was partly damaged during the melee where he sought refuge as officers waited by the door.
On his part, Deputy Governor Dr. Mathews Owili appealed to officers to allow the fine’s payment without arresting Okong’o.
“It is my appeal to you, please leave the CEC alone—the fine is being paid,” he pleaded.
During the standoff, the minister is reported to have sustained some injuries.
The legal dispute between Kisumu County and Majock Construction company dates back to 2013, from the transition of local authorities to county governments.
Court ruling
In court, Okong’o expressed gratitude for the suspension, citing the county’s financial challenges.
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Deputy Governor Owili also praised the ruling, pledging that the county would comply with payment orders.
He further explained that delays in contractor payments result from lagging disbursements from the National Treasury.
The judge in her ruling suspended the sentence to allow the county time to settle an outstanding bill with contractor Majock Construction, to whom it owes Ksh16 million.
The county has already paid Ksh8 million and requested the court’s consideration.
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