Patrick Mariru, the Principal Secretary for Defence, is at the centre of a legal storm after failing to honour a court order compelling the government to compensate ten former Air Force soldiers a staggering KSh 134 million.
The High Court in Nairobi has now summoned him for sentencing, a move that could see him jailed for contempt.
Mariru’s blatant disregard for court orders has left the ex-soldiers, who suffered brutal injustices during the 1982 coup attempt, waiting over a decade for their rightful compensation.
Defence PS Patrick Mariru smikes during a past event. Photo: Patrick Mariru Source: Facebook
His excuses, ranging from financial austerity measures to lack of budget allocation, have been dismissed by Justice John Chigiti, who found them indefensible and a mockery of justice.
The judge ruled that Mariru’s actions defy the authority and dignity of the court, making him personally liable for the government’s failure.
The former soldiers – David Gitau, Shaban Mwadosho, Johana Kisorio, Hassan Mohammed, Daniel Koi, Khamisi Mwamgute, Peter Mungai, Jacob Mwaliko, Alfred Mwathethe, and Graham Wambaa – endured unimaginable torture after being falsely accused of participating in the coup attempt.
Stripped naked, beaten, and humiliated in public, they fought a long legal battle to secure justice.
In 2013, the High Court ruled in their favour, awarding them KSh 5.5 million each plus interest, an amount that has since ballooned due to non-payment.
Defence PS Patrick Mariru during a past event. Photo: Patrick Mariru Source: Facebook
Despite multiple court rulings compelling the Ministry of Defence to honour the payment, Mariru has continued to stonewall, claiming that the funds were not allocated by Parliament.
This reasoning has been rubbished by the court, with Justice Chigiti stating that financial constraints cannot override a legal decree.
The ex-soldiers are now demanding Mariru’s immediate imprisonment for six months or a hefty personal fine to ensure accountability. With sentencing set for April 29, 2025, all eyes are on the court to deliver justice.
If found guilty, Mariru could become the latest government official to face the consequences of defying judicial authority in Kenya.
