Kapseret Member of Parliament (MP) Oscar Sudi now risks contempt of court charges from the Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association (KMJA).
On Wednesday, January 17, Sudi led a group of youth in demolishing structures lying on a 20-acre piece of land in Kamagut area, Eldoret.
The incident followed a brief encounter between President William Ruto and an elderly woman claiming ownership of the 20-acre Kamagut farm.
Emily Jepkemei poured herself out to the Head of State seeking help to settle on the land. Sudi was eventually handed responsibility to deal with the matter.
“Nilikuwa classmate na rais, sasa vile alikuja akanisalamia, nikamwambia kuna mtu amechukua shamba yangu nataka anisaidie…rais akaniuliza ni nani anajua hii maneno, nikamwambia Sudi ndio anajua. Akaita Sudi akamwambia sikia hiyo maneno ya huyo mama na ufanye haraka.
(I was a classmate to the president, he came and greeted me and I told him someone has taken my farm I want him to help me… The president asked me who knew about this issue, and I told him that Sudi knew. He called Sudi and told him to deal with the matter hastily,)” she narrated.
However, five families are apparently seeking ownership of the land and the matter is still pending in court.
Paul Kirwa Samoei and two others were reportedly declared the rightful owners in November 2022 after presenting relevant documents.
However, contention of the land escalated to the Court of Appeal where a verdict was to be rendered on January 19.
Two days prior to the ruling, Sudi and a number of young women demolished property rendering Samoei homeless.
Justice Radido Stephen Okiyo, president of the KMJA criticized Sudi’s actions, saying he was undermining the judiciary by disobeying court orders.
“In the most recent attacks, an elected political leader
mobilized and led a gang to destroy a property which is still
the subject of litigation before the Courts in Eldoret,” read part of his statement.
He asserted that the association would take proactive steps to deal with politicians who contravene court orders through applying for contempt of court orders against persons, intent on an insidious campaign defeat the sovereign will of the people as delegated to the judiciary.”
Justice Okiyo noted that attacks on the judiciary had not ceased despite talks between their leader Chief Justice Martha Koome and President William Ruto.
He asserted that judges and magistrates would remain steadfast in carrying out their mandate.
“On behalf of the Association, the Executive Council assures
the political class and Kenyans in general that its members
will not be shaken nor cowered from fulfilling their individual
oaths of office,” read part of the statement.
