Lawyer Kimeto says Ruto death threats pushed her to withdraw court cases against Mumias following ‘Mambo Ni Matatu’ remarks by the president.
Kimeto and Associates Advocates, the main petitioner in the insolvency action against Mumias Sugar Company, has written to the court to revoke a withdrawal notice that was submitted on September 1.
The petitioner claims that the law firm was threatened with death if it didn’t withdraw from the case.
Death threats made by state agents were one of the reasons given in the letter, which was signed by managing partner Jackline C. Kimeto, as to why the cases filed in March of last year were withdrawn.
After defending the sugar miller in court, Kimeto is asking for Ksh76 million.
In her petition to the High Court, she notes that the firm and State representatives have not clarified how she will be compensated for the unpaid legal expenses.
“Kindly take note that the Petitioner herein wishes to cancel the said Notices as the same were obtained from her through extreme duress and threats to her life, citizenship and personal liberty by state officers acting with a view of assisting the 1st and 2nd respondent and their proxies in this suit,” Kimeto remarked in a letter.
The withdrawal of the court cases followed President William Ruto’s week-long tour where he openly threatened alleged cartels sabotaging the sugar miller with death, jail, and deportation.
The remarks also came shortly after Jaswant Rai, the subject of another petition, was kidnapped in broad daylight by unidentified individuals and eventually withdrew his claims.
Before withdrawal, Kimeto had alleged that State agents were out to scuttle the Mumias cases through threats and coercion after she was summoned by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for questioning.
She had filed a court case alleging harassment from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI).
Kimeto alleges that the State is forcing her to withdraw the cases but has not offered any payment plan that will help her recover her money.
“The petitioner is currently being subjected to force, threats of imprisonment, coercion, threats to her life, and extreme psychological pressure to withdraw her petitions filed with this court on the 20th and 22nd of March, 2019 without any mention as to how her money decrees will be settled in full,” the letter read.
President William Ruto has issued what he terms as Mambo Matatu for individuals involved in the sugar sector.
He warned that the individuals either have to flee the country, go to jail or go to heaven (death).
At least four cases against Mumias have been withdrawn since Ruto made the threats.
