Veteran Politician Kenneth Matiba Awarded Sh 504 Million Over Torture By State

Kenneth Matiba. MARTIN MWAURA|NATION MEDIA GROUP

The High Court today ruled that veteran politician Kenneth Matiba will be awarded compensation for the one year period he served in detention during President Daniel Moi era. Mr. Matiba was awarded Sh 504 million in damages.

Mr. Matiba referred to as Kenya's second liberation hero sued the State in 2014 seeking Sh9.1 million compensation for the suffering he underwent following his imprisonment. He asked for Sh9,153,103 for medical expenses, general, exemplary and aggravated damages following his unlawful arrest, imprisonment and stroke which he suffered.

Mr. Matiba was arrested on July 4, 1990, four days ahead of the Saba Saba rally he had organized and taken to Lang’ata Police Station. He was released on  June 4, 1991, after a head scan showed that he was bleeding in the brain and required urgent blockage of the arteries

But according to the Attorney General, who has been sued in the case, Mr Matiba was not mistreated while in custody.

The case was heard by Supreme Court Judge Isaac Lenaola and the judgment was delivered on his behalf by High Court's Justice Enoch Chacha Mwita.