DCI, IG sued for contempt for using suspects' mugshots

A lobby group has filed contempt proceedings against the Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti and Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinett for allegedly defying a court order which suspended the use of mug shots of suspects on social media.

According to Bunge La Mwananchi group, both Kinoti and Boinett should be committed to civil jail for breach of court orders.

In a petition filed in court by the lobby group wants the court to hold the duo accountable for deliberate breach of court orders issued last year.

The group argues that DCI’s actions have no basis in law and insists that suspects are entitled to the right to privacy. The court directed that Kinoti and Boinett appear in court on 20th May for submissions.

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The High Court on December 6 last year, barred Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet and DCI boss George Kinoti’s office from posting mugshots of suspects on social media before they are arraigned.

The recent post is Monday when DCI posted pictures of Nyeri Senior Resident Magistrate Pauline Omung’ala Chesang being held in connection with the brutal murder of her husband Robert Chesang- a lawyer.

Two Police officers & a retired intelligence officer have been arrested in connection to the brutal murder of Mr. Robert Chesang- an advocate of the high court of Kenya. A vehicle & two AK47 rifles linked to the scene of crime thro’ ballistics analysis have also been confiscated. pic.twitter.com/oD8HnOgQwl

— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) March 4, 2019

Meanwhile, Senior Counsel Paul Muite wants the court to summon Kenya Bureau of Standards Acting Managing Director Bernard Nguyo to show cause why he should not be jailed for disobeying orders requiring him to conduct fresh testing of Fertilizer.

In the application, Muite argues Nguyo has repeatedly disobeyed court orders since 15 January 2019 with no valid reason.

In the case, former KEBS managing director Charles Ongwae alongside other officials are accused of importing fertilizer containing mercury.

Elsewhere, 40 Ethiopians and one American have been arraigned in a Nyeri court for being in the country illegally.

The immigrants will be detained at the Nyeri Police station for seven days to allow the police to conclude investigations.

According to the prosecution a multi-agency task force is being set up to vet the immigrants who were believed to have been on transit to a neighboring country.

And the hearing of a case where former Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario and five others are accused of misappropriating 55 million shillings meant to facilitate athletes in 2016 Rio Olympics kicked off at the Milimani law court.

The prosecution’s first witness took the court through the functions of NOCK and planning, finance and procurement committees of the 2016 Rio Olympics. The prosecution has lined up 25 witnesses in the case.