Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga has been summoned by a Nakuru court to explain why he has not paid Sh6 million to two accident victims who were hit by the county government's car. Justice Janet Mulwa ordered Governor Rasanga, his finance chief officer and the county secretary to appear before court to explain why they failed to respect court orders issued on June 3. Siaya county government was ordered to pay Willy Kiptoo and the family of Erick Kirui Sh6 million as a compensation for the loss they suffered after they were knocked by the county governments vehicle. Kirui's family was awarded Sh1.8 million and that of Kiptoo was awarded Sh4.8 including medical cost. He was admitted for one while Kirui died on the spot at Salgaa area on the Nakuru–Eldoret highway. “The respondents should attend court individually or by their advocates to show cause why they should not be committed to civil jail for disobeying court orders,” Justice Mulwa said. Justice Janet Mulwa of Nakuru High Court. [p/courtesy] The ruling came after the lawyer representing the victim sought to have the governor and his officers punished for contempt of court.
Lawyer Renny Lagat in his application noted that the respondents had refused to honour the orders after they were served with the demand notice on June 17. The court was told that the 30 days indicated in the demand notice had lapsed yet the respondents still had not complied with the orders. “The suspected contemnors were and are aware of the decree of this court compelling them to pay the applicants the decretal sum but they have chosen to ignore the same. They have no regard to the authority of this court,” Mr Lagat argued. In 2017, the families of the victims applied for compensation in a court in Molo where they sued Governor Rasanga ,County Secretary and the Chief finance officer. Rasanga's administration challenged the ruling but later withdrew the appeal and promised to the victims