Court issues warrant of arrest against Governor Mutua in dumpsite case
The Environment and Lands Court has issued a warrant of arrest against Machakos Governor Mutua for defying orders to pay businessman David Thairu Sh5.5 million in dumpsite case.
Businessman Thairu had moved to court through Nyangito and Co-advocates seeking to stop the county government of Machakos from dumping wastes into his land.
Machakos Principle Magistrate C.N Ondieki ordered the OCS Machakos Police Station to present Mutua in court as fast as they can.
“These are to command you to arrest the said Governor, County Government of Machakos and unless they shall pay to you the sum of Sh5,590,443.15 as noted in the margin, together with executing officer’s expenses and fees if any to bring the Governor, County Government of Machakos before the Court with all convenient speed,” Ondieki ordered.
On July 30, 2020, the court directed Mutua and his county government to pay a sum of Sh5,590,443.15 to Thairu.
In an application, Thairu sought a declaration that his rights to deprivation of property had been contravened by the Machakos county government and the Governor.
Through his lawyer, Thairu told the court that despite the Governor being aware of the court orders, he failed to comply.
“Unless this honourable court cites the governor county government of Machakos for contempt of court orders of this court, the authority and dignity of this court are at stake” read the application.
The High Court had barred the Governor from dumping wastes on his land in Machakos County.
Lawyer Nyangito asked the court to punish the governor who is bestowed with responsibility undertaking the affairs of the county government.
