Court Declines to Vacate Kinoti’s Four-month Jail Sentence

The High Court has declined to vacate a four-month jail sentence imposed on DCI director George Kinoti.

Kinoti was on November 18 found guilty of contempt of court for disobeying a court order requiring him to surrender firearms belonging to Jimi Wanjigi.

The DCI boss told the court that he was not in possession of the guns. Justice Anthony Mrima heard that the guns were in the custody of the firearms licensing board.

Justice Mrima, however, noted that Kinoti failed to prove that the firearms had been moved to the board.

“No evidence was tendered to show Kinoti transmitted the firearms to the board. Lack of that shows the firearms are still in his custody. This application is dismissed and orders I made November 18 continue to be in force,” said the judge.

Wanjigi on his part claims the guns are still with the top detective after he visited the board’s offices in Industrial Area in Nairobi, where he was informed that only the latter could release the guns to him.

Justice Mrima ordered Kinoti to surrender himself to the officer in charge of Kamiti Maximum Prison to serve the sentence. The seven days lapsed on November 26.

“In the event Kinoti fails to avail himself as ordered, a warrant of arrest will be issued against him. The warrant shall be executed by the Inspector General of Police,” Mrima ordered.

Should IG Hilary Mutyambai fail to execute the warrant, the same shall remain valid and be executed at any time, including when Kinoti vacates the office of the DCI.