Governor Susan Kihika of Nakuru County faced legal repercussions due to her actions concerning the appointment of County Executive Committee Members (CECs). In a significant legal development, she was found guilty of contempt of court for failing to comply with judicial orders related to these appointments.
The court had previously ruled that her initial list of CEC nominees was unconstitutional and directed her to initiate a proper and legal process for their selection.
This is after a suit filed at the Environment and Lands Court, Baboon Project Kenya alleged that both Kihika and Ng’ang’a have ignored an order issued on September 26, 2024, which permanently banned any further refuse disposal into the lake.
Despite this directive, Governor Kihika proceeded with a new list that was almost identical to the previously quashed one, leading to charges of contempt.
The court found that her actions did not reflect the diversity required by Kenyan law and essentially ignored the court's previous ruling. Consequently, she was sentenced to six months in civil jail or faced the alternative of paying a fine of Sh200,000.
This sentencing has sparked a broader conversation about the accountability of public officials and the mechanisms through which judicial decisions are enforced within the Kenyan political landscape. It serves as a reminder of the checks and balances intended to ensure that elected officials operate within the legal frameworks set by the constitution and judicial oversight.