A Kenyan advocacy group has initiated contempt proceedings against Police Inspector General Joseph Boinett and Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti for allegedly disregarding a court order that prohibited sharing suspect mugshots on social media.
The Bunge La Mwananchi organization claims both officials breached judicial directives by posting images of Nyeri Senior Resident Magistrate Pauline Omung’ala Chesang, who was detained in connection with her husband's murder. The group argues that the action violates suspects' right to privacy and has no legal basis.
The High Court had issued a December 2018 ruling prohibiting the Kenya Police from publishing mugshots before suspects face arraignment. The latest violation occurred when DCI shared photos of Chesang on March 4, 2019, during her detention for the murder of Robert Chesang, a legal professional.
Both officials are scheduled to appear in court on May 20 for further proceedings. The case adds to ongoing legal challenges, including a separate application seeking to hold Kenya Bureau of Standards Acting Managing Director Bernard Nguyo in contempt for failing to comply with fertilizer testing orders since January 2019.
Other developments include the arraignment of 40 Ethiopians and one American for illegal entry, and the trial of former Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario over alleged misappropriation of 55 million shillings intended for 2016 Rio Olympics athletes.
