KU Lecturers Bag Millions In Compensation After Unwarranted Torture

Justice was served to three lecturers who were arrested in 1982.The High Court has awarded three former Kenyatta University lecturers Sh46 million as damages for torture they underwent after the 1982 attempted coup. The three, Edward Akong’o Oyugi (76), Mr Kamoji Wachira (75) and Mr Joseph Otieno Malo (78) were subjected to degrading treatment, held in human conditions both at the police station and in detention and they were denied food and medical care,” the court held.

Mr Oyugi was accused of failing to disclose why he and others wanted to overthrow the government of President Daniel arap Moi, while Mr Wachira was accused of using students and plotting to overthrow the government. The two were detained incommunicado at several prisons, including Kamiti, Shimo La Tewa and Hola prisons. Justice John Mativo awarded Mr Edward Akong’o Oyugi and Mr Kamoji Wachira Sh20 million each for being held in detention under harsh conditions for two years. The court awarded Sh6m to Mr Joseph Otieno Malo because he was only detained for three days. Judge the effect on Mr Malo left him a shadow of his former self and he was not able to secure a job in the country.

The court ruled that the manner in which they were arrested, beaten, harassed and tortured was a blatant violation of the letter and spirit of chapter five of the previous constitution.

Each of the petitioners gave an account of being brutally beaten, at times, until they lost consciousness, being held in the dark water-logged cells without food and water or toilet facilities, and even being forced to sleep on water-logged cells and being forced to stand for long hours.

They were denied access to family members or lawyers and were held in solitary confinement. For Mr Otieno Malo, his was a case of mistaken identity since the police were looking for a Mr Alfred Otieno. But they still tortured him for three days.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *