Kihika jailed for six months for contempt of court

By Wesley Koech

Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika has been fined Sh2 million or face a jail-term of six months for contempt of court.

Kihika was found guilty on Tuesday, 18 February, 2025, jointly with Nakuru Water and Sanitation Services Chief Executive Officer James Ng’ang’a.

According to Justice Antony Omwayo, the two were found guilty of contempt of court for failing to comply with a court order regarding the disposal of waste into Lake Nakuru, thus affecting marine life in the lake.

“This court finds that the two respondents are in contempt of court orders issued on September 26, 2024. Governor Kihika and James Ng’ang’a are hereby jointly fined KSh 2 million and are ordered to comply with the orders of this court within a period of 6 months,” the judge ruled.

 He added that the court’s action comes from a previous ruling that was issued by the Environment and Land Court on September 24, 2024, which barred the Governor and the CEO from permanently disposing waste into the Lake Nakuru Basin.

The court’s rule is as a result of contempt of court application by Baboon Project Kenya, which the governor and the CEO have been ignoring.

In its application, the firm said that the Nakuru County Government and the water company had permitted the continued dumping of both solid, liquid, and toxic waste into the lake, causing significant harm to marine life.

 Additionally, the judge said that the respondents knew of the court order, but continued with their acts according to the evidence presented in court.