Drama in Kisumu court after police attempt to re-arrest county finance boss

Drama on Tuesday evening unfolded at the Kisumu High Court after the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in charge of Finance, George Okong’o, survived an imprisonment.

This after High Court Judge Shariff Mwanaisha suspended his sentence and instead fined him Ksh.200,000 in a contempt of court case where the county is accused of not paying a contractor.

Justice Mwanaisha suspended the conviction of two months until December 19, 2024, to allow the county to pay the contractor a pending bill.

However, immediately after Justice Mwanaisha adjourned for the day, both uniformed and plain clothes police officers attempted to re-arrest Mr. Okong’o.

His security, alongside other county employees, however barred the police from arresting the finance officer, thus causing the melee that saw several people injured as the big crowd jostled along the court corridors towards the exit.

The chaos continued towards City Hall which houses Governor Anyang Nyong’o’s office, leading to a broken door as police officers insisted on re-arresting Mr. Okong’o amidst resistance from the crowd.

The CECM luckily got into the Governor’s office where he sought refuge as officers waited by the door, and later departed after consultation. During the standoff, the minister sustained some injuries.