Maina Njenga wants court to summon DP Gachagua over Mungiki remarks
Former Mungiki sect leader Maina Njenga wants Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua summoned over contempt of court in a case where he (Njenga) is accused of encouraging support for the outlawed group.
In an application filed before a Nakuru court on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, Njenga accused Gachagua of prosecuting the matter in public.
Through his lawyers, Njenga asked the court to summon the DP, saying the alleged comments amount to sub judice.
“This court has a duty to protect the sanctity of trial and proceedings before it. It is prohibited, under the general rule of law, comments that amount to sub judice. The facts of the case ought not to be discussed in any fora than the court,” documents filed in court read in part.
The presiding judge acknowledged the application saying: "In this case, I have been asked to call upon to summon the person in the name and form of Deputy President, Republic of Kenya, who is accused of making comments amounting to sub judice.
The judge, however, declined to grant the orders sought, ruling that the application lacked merit.
“No material has been placed before me to demonstrate the asserted contempt by the deputy president,” the court stated.
Gachagua last month raised concerns about the resurgence of Mungiki just days after Maina Njenga, now bishop, was arrested by the police over allegations of possession of bhang and a gun.
The country's second in command issued a stern warning against leaders reviving the outlawed group. The remarks were reiterated by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki.
“Any attempt to recreate their activities will be met with swift and decisive action. We will not allow them threaten our women, rape our children, extort money from businesses and farmers,” Gachagua said in Thika.
Gachagua accused the alleged ring leader of the group of taking advantage of the state of joblessness in the country to radicalise youths.
“The sect leader has nine posh homes from Lavington, Kitengela, Nyahururu which are as a result of extortion,” he added.
