High Court Justice Odunga Convicts Matiang'i, Boinnet for Defying Orders to Release Miguna Miguna

The High Court on Wednesday convicted Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Mating’i, Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet and Immigration Principal Secretary Gordon Kihalangwa for contempt of court and will be sentenced on Thursday.

Justice George Odunga ruled that the three top government officers were guilty for contempt of several court orders in regard to the detention of embattled self-declared National Resistance Movement (NRM) general Miguna Miguna.

Justice Odunga further directed the three to appear in court on Thursday at 10am for their sentencing, failure to which he will read the sentence in their absence.

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

"It is time for those who violate the constitution to take responsibility for their own actions. Court orders must be respected and obeyed whether one agrees with them or not. This court must not make orders in vain otherwise it will be subject to ridicule."

"This court gave the three officers an opportunity to defend themselves by directing them to appear in court but they decided to go into hiding instead," Odunga said in his ruling.

The judge also ordered that Miguna, who is being detained at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, be released unconditionally.

Justice Odunga had earlier in the day summoned the trio to appear before him in person, but they failed to obey, saying they were engaged with other matters.

The three have disregarded orders to free Miguna issued by Justice Roselyn Aburili on Tuesday and another by Odunga on Wednesday morning.

Contempt of court attracts a penalty of at least six months in jail.