The High Court in Eldoret has scheduled December 6, 2024, to determine whether Francis Simiyu, the former CEO of the Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK), will be granted his request for Ksh. 5.9 billion from the government for wrongful detention 41 years ago. Justice Reuben Nyakundi instructed the parties involved to file their submissions within 14 days ahead of the judgment date.
Simiyu initiated the case through his lawyer, Francis Omenya, at the High Court three years ago against the Attorney General, the Inspector General of Police, and the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). He is seeking the Ksh. 5 billion as he claims he was maliciously arrested, prosecuted, convicted, and sentenced in connection with the theft of over Ksh. 3 million from his employer.
“41 years ago, I was slapped with a three-year jail term by the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Nairobi after being found guilty of stealing the money from my employer,” Simiyu said. Dissatisfied with the court’s ruling, he filed an appeal at the High Court in Nairobi to quash the jail term, accusing the state of malicious prosecution, wrongful arrest, and detention.
“By the time my appeal was processed, I had already served my sentence,” he noted. Simiyu then moved to the Court of Appeal, where he was ultimately vindicated of the charges brought against him by his employer.