Three Isiolo officials are facing jail time for contempt of court in a case where the county government was sued for nonpayment of advocates fees.
Mbogo and Muriuki Advocates moved to court early last year demanding payment of more than Sh3.8 million.
They sued the county government of Isioko, County Secretary Dade Boru, Finance Chief Officer Habiba Jirma and the finance executive Luqman Abdi.
Justice Ogutu Mboya of Isiolo Environment and Land Court had, in July, directed the county government to pay the debt within 60 days.
However, citing disobedience of court orders, Lawyer Ken Muriuki filed a contempt of court suit against the three officials.
“Our application is that the Honourable court do find that the respondents are in contempt of court for disobedience of the orders of this court issued on July 30, 2025…That this Honourable court do summon Dade boru (The county secretary), Luqman Abdi (CECM Finance, Economic planning and ICT) and Habiba Galgalo Jirma (Chief officer finance economic planning and ICT) to personally attend court to show cause why they should not be punished for contempt of ocurt,” they urged the court.
The law firm also sought to have the thee county officials committed to six months civil jail for contempt.
However, in their defence, the respondents told the court that Isiolo county’s budget had not been approved and that the county could only access half of its 2025/2026 budget.
In his directions, Justice Mboya ordered the county to pay the law firm half of the pending amount within 14 days from November 14, 2025.
“In default by the respondent to process and pay 50 percent of the decretal sum within 14 days, the second, third and fourth respondents shall stand committed to jail for contempt for a period of six months…” Justice Mboya ordered.
The judge maintained that “a court order is a command…Moreover, the performance of the act under reference is to be undertaken in accordance with the court order or, better still, in accordance with the law. In addition, where timelines are provided, the commanded action must be undertaken within the prescribed timelines unless the time has been varied or revised.”
The three county officials, who are now being sought by the police, are to serve their sentence at Meru Prison.
