Off the hook!!High Court comes to Governor Lonyangapuo’s rescue

After a dramatic week that saw police officers attached to West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo and his home withdrawn.

The High Court in Kitale has restrained the government from arresting, detaining and charging West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo for allegedly obstructing traffic police from discharging their duties along the Pokot – Kapenguria road last week.

The court, in a ruling on Monday, barred Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet and Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Noordin Haji from arresting, detaining and charging the governor in court.

 

The court further issued an order for the immediate reinstatement of the governor’s security on the basis that his security was not at the discretion of a Cabinet Secretary but is a constitutional benefit which every state officer is entitled to.

“The court has also issued an order stopping the further withdrawal of security from the governor and we hope that the cabinet secretary will comply with the order,” said the West Pokot County chief’s lawyer Peter Wanyama.

Mr. Wanyama added that failure by CS Matiang’i, IG Boinnet and DPP Haji to comply with the order will force him to seek legal redress against the three for contempt of court.

On Wednesday evening, Governor Lonyangapuo threw away metal spikers erected near Safari Park Hotel and Chepareria town accusing police officers of harassing motorists.

He bacame furious when he found a rider who was transporting onions from Ortum to Makutano arrested and handcuffed on his motorcycle.

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