Court orders SK Macharia to appear in person tomorrow for contempt claims
Media mogul SK Macharia, chairman of Royal Media Services, is set to appear in court tomorrow, February 19, 2026, to answer to allegations of contempt of court in the protracted battle for control of Directline Assurance Limited.
The High Court dismissed Macharia’s preliminary objection challenging its authority to summon him over the contempt claims lodged last year. In its ruling, the court held that the Notice to Show Cause (NTSC) issued against him was lawful, procedural and within its inherent jurisdiction.
Macharia had argued that the summons infringed on his right to a fair hearing under Article 50 of the Constitution. However, the court rejected this claim, stating that he had been accorded ample opportunity to respond.
“In conclusion, the court acted within its inherent jurisdiction to summon the 1st defendant upon allegations of deliberate disobedience of court orders. The NTSC did not infringe his right to fair hearing; it provided him with ample opportunity to be heard,” the judge ruled.
The court further directed Macharia to deposit the original title documents of Directline Assurance and AKM Investments Ltd with the Deputy Registrar of the division within 14 days. He is required to appear in person on the appointed date to confirm compliance.
The contempt proceedings stem from an application filed in 2025 by Directline’s Chief Executive Officer, Sammy Kanyi.
Kanyi accused Macharia of defying court orders issued on October 4, 2025, during a dramatic incident at the insurer’s offices at Hazina Towers in September that year.
According to court filings, Macharia allegedly stormed the company’s premises, attempted to remove the sitting CEO and board of directors, and installed a new management team.
Kanyi argued that the actions were illegal, disruptive and placed policyholders at risk by paralysing operations and locking out authorised management.
In his defence, Macharia maintained that the court lacked jurisdiction to frame contempt charges against him, citing the absence of a formal application seeking his committal to jail.
He also argued that he had not been personally served with the orders in question and that mere knowledge of their existence was insufficient grounds for contempt.
The dispute is part of a long-running shareholder wrangle over control of Directline, a key player in Kenya’s matatu insurance market.
The ownership dispute was referred to arbitration, culminating in an award issued on May 11, 2022. An application seeking recognition and enforcement of that award remains pending before the High Court, alongside a separate bid to set it aside.
