Wanjigi slams Gov't over refusal to pay Ksh.9B owed to 1982 coup Air Force veterans

Safina Party leader Jimi Wanjigi has criticised the government for failing to pay more than 400 former Kenya Air Force personnel dismissed following the 1982 attempted coup, despite court orders directing compensation of up to Ksh.9 billion.

Wanjigi accused the government of ignoring the plight of the veterans, many of whom are now elderly, despite a protracted court battle that he said had vindicated their claims.

“We have an inhumane government that has decided to ignore the plight of these gallant men and women. This is not the Kenya that our forefathers foresaw,” Wanjigi said on Thursday.

The Safina leader spoke after receiving a delegation of the ‘82 Air Force veterans, who are seeking his support in pursuing compensation and recognition from the government.

According to the 2027 presidential candidate, the veterans were dismissed about 44 years ago following the 1982 coup attempt and subsequently pursued legal action over what they described as unfair dismissal.

He said the Employment and Labour Relations Court ordered the government to pay the veterans, with the amount now standing at Ksh.9 billion, but accused the government of failing to implement the orders.

Wanjigi said a government that disregards court orders undermines the rule of law, pledging that a Safina administration would settle the veterans' claim within its first three months in office if elected in 2027.

“I want to commit today that my government, the Safina government, will ensure this payment of Ksh.9 billion is done within the first three months,” he said.

The veterans' chairman Mwigai Njoroge, a retired Air Force officer, said the group comprised former Kenya Air Force personnel who were arrested and detained following the coup attempt.

“We are former Kenya Air Force personnel who were arrested and detained following the 1982 coup, but the courts have vindicated us,” Njoroge said.

Njoroge said many of the veterans had died while pursuing justice, with those still alive continuing to push for compensation and their rights.

“Many of us have already passed on, but we are here to partner with the Safina Party as we seek justice and pursue our rights,” he said.

Safina Deputy Party Leader Willis Otieno accused successive governments of mistreating the former servicemen and women, despite court orders directing their recognition and retirement with the honours attached to the positions they held.

“It is important that a country respects the rule of law,” lawyer Otieno said, adding that the veterans had “fought through the court process and got court orders that commanded the government to pay them up to Ksh.9 billion.”

Otieno further claimed that the High Court had issued contempt proceedings against Defence Principal Secretary Patrick Mariru over failure to comply with the orders, including an order directing the Inspector General of Police to arrest him.

The Safina party noted that it had signed a charter with the veterans committing a future Safina government to clear the Ksh.9 billion payment within its first three months in office.

Wanjigi also warned veterans who had expressed concerns about possible victimisation over their association with Safina, telling them that the current administration had only one year left in office.