Kenya Bureau of Standards acting Managing Director Bernard Nguyo has been summoned to appear in court on March 12 to show cause why he should not be punished for contempt over refusal carry out testing of fertilizer held at the Mombasa Port. Senior Principal Magistrate Kennedy Cheruiyot said the MD has to come to court and explain why the orders issued on January 15 requiring sampling and testing of the fertilizer has not been complied with.
Defence lawyers Paul Muite and Edward Oonge raised concern over the manner in which previous testing was carried out to establish that the fertilizer had mercury. They asked the court to order fresh testing in the presence of the accused persons in the case who include former Managing Director Charles Ongwae and nine others who have been charged with attempted murder.
The trial magistrate said the orders have never been obeyed despite clear evidence that the MD is fully aware of the court decision. Tests ought to have been carried out as specified in the ruling. Cheruiyot said the MD instead of obeying the orders, went on to explain in a letter to the Director of Public Prosecution that the fertilizer had gathered moisture and the mercury may have evaporated.
“The action by the MD is completely unacceptable since the accused with their lawyers travelled to Mombasa only to find the MD and his team were absent,” he said.