The High Court has found Principal Secretary for Defence, Dr Patrick Mariru, in contempt of court for failing to pay Ksh 134.7 million in compensation to ten former Kenya Air Force officers who were detained after the 1982 coup attempt.
Justice J.M.
Chigiti ordered Mariru to appear for sentencing on April 29, 2025, after rejecting the Defence Ministry's argument that "budgetary constraints" and "austerity measures" had prevented the payment of the court-ordered compensation.
The case originated from a 2013 High Court ruling that awarded the former officers Ksh 55 million in damages for violations of their fundamental rights during their detention between August 1 and 4, 1982.
