Category Archives: Kenya judiciary

A bit of politricks

AG woes
It’s not been a good week for the Attorney General’s (AG) office, even beyond the big rumour around town.

– Simeon Nyachae, the Minister for Energy who is being sued by Shem Ochuodho, the former Kenya Pipeline MD, has indicated that he does not want the AG to represent him – he will use his own lawyer instead.

– Also the Kenya Anti Corruption Commission will seek new powers to direct prosecution of cases without referring to the AG’s office. But the police currently have such powers, and have misued them – most recently to arrest and prosecute newspaper writers critical of the government.

Cabinet 2, Media 0
Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Mwakwere has been awarded Kshs. 3 million in a defamation suit he filed against Royal Media (Citizen TV). It had been widely reported that Mwakwere was one of three ministers who had been arrested in a crackdown on prostitutes on Koinange (K st. Nairobi) last year. The judge in the case twice refused to hear Citizen’s defence evidence from a woman, who came forward to present material evidence on the case.

Also, last week Martha Karua was awarded Kshs. 20 million shillings in defamation damages from a Nairobi tabloid.

Military Secrets
Find out how tough is Kenya’s military is!

More Aid to Kenya

From Norway (a GJLOS Project)
Through the World Bank, Norway is funding a pilot project for the recording of court proceedings. Firms with extensive experience are invited to supply and install digital voice processing systems in some courts by applying electronically from johnson.weru@legalsector.or.ke by 27th May 2005.

From EU for Kenyan Roads
European Union support to Kenya roads i.e the Northern Corridor Rehabilitation Programme include:
– Sultan Hamud to Mtito Andei (131 km) at a cost of Kshs. 4.6 billion began in April 2003, and 72km are complete. – the rest should be done by January 2006
– Mai Mahiu – Naivasha – Lanet 95 km road section at a cost of Kshs 4.6 billion – to commence in May 2005 and end in September 2007 urgently needs to be done
– 150km of rural roads in Eastern province at a cost of Kshs. 300 million (complete)
– EUR 35 million to rehabilitate Westlands– Limuru and Timoboroa-Eldoret-Malaba highways urgently needs to be done
– Rural roads in tea & coffee producing areas of Central Kenya

From Japan
The Government of Japan has provided a grant of 1 billion yen (¥) (Kshs 720 million) in an import support program to finance import of raw materials and finished goods. Goods purchased don’t have to be of Japanese origin, but the funds may not be used for project funding. The minimum loan amount is ¥ 14.4m (Kshs 10.4 million), and the maximum is ¥108m (Kshs 77.8 million). Other terms are: payment in Kshs, 10% deposit to treasury on approval of application, balance (90%) payable within one year from date of shipment of goods, secured by bank guarantee. Apply at crownagents@ke.crownagents.com

Kenyan version of the OJ trial

Tom Gilbert Delamere grandson of Lord Delamere will be charged with murdering a wildlife ranger who was conducting an investigation on the illegal sale of bushmeat by Delamere’s farm.

It will be interesting to see how the case will play out. Kenyan prosecutors have proved to be so inept in high-profile cases and are frequently let down by poor police investigations. It’s like Christoper Darden vs. Johnnie Cochran as high-priced and polished defence lawyers make mince meat of state prosecutors. In the past, (White) Kenyan Minister Bruce Mackenzie killed a Kenyan at the Coast and was acquited I believe on manslaughter charges, while some American sailors were were released after been found guilty of murdering a prostitute in the early 80’s in Mombasa.

Now we’ll see if it is possible to convict a white Kenyan for murdering a black government official in the line of duty.