William Kimani, the Kiambu County Chief Officer of Finance, has been sentenced to six months in jail for contempt of court. The sentence was handed down by the Milimani High Court on May 13, 2025, after Kimani was found guilty of disobeying a court order regarding the payment of Ksh52 million in legal fees to a city lawyer.
The case dates back to late 2022, when the court issued a clear directive ordering the Kiambu County Government, through its finance officer, to pay the lawyer the outstanding amount. However, despite the court’s order, Kimani failed to honor it. The lawyer had been owed the legal fees by the Kiambu County Government for services rendered, but the payments had not been made.
On March 17, 2025, the court once again ordered Kimani to appear in court to address the matter. However, Kimani failed to show up, which led to further legal action. After months of evading authorities, Kimani finally surrendered himself to the Milimani High Court on May 13, 2025. His surrender came after the Judicial Review Division Court, through Judge Roselyne Aburili, issued an arrest order for him, directing the Kiambu County Police Commander to apprehend him.
Once Kimani appeared before the court, Judge Aburili sentenced him to six months in jail at the Industrial Area Remand Prison. The judge also ordered the Kiambu County Government to immediately pay the lawyer the Ksh52 million it owed.
The case of Kimani’s contempt of court began earlier, with Judge Jairus Ngaah finding him guilty of disregarding the court’s orders. Kimani had been warned about the consequences of non-compliance, as the court had issued a penal notice that explicitly stated that failure to comply with the order would result in severe consequences. Evidence submitted by court process server Peter Maundu Keli showed that the Kiambu County Secretary and the County Treasurer had been served with the court order on June 29, 2023, and they had acknowledged receipt of the notice.
Despite this acknowledgment, no action was taken to fulfill the payment obligation. The court ruling pointed out that the absence of any evidence proving that the order had been complied with led to the finding of contempt against the County Secretary and the County Treasurer, in addition to Kimani.
The case highlights the serious consequences of failing to comply with court orders, especially when public funds are involved. Kimani’s actions not only affected the lawyer’s rightful payment but also led to a breakdown in the legal processes meant to ensure accountability in the use of public resources.
In the broader context, this case serves as a reminder to government officials and institutions of the importance of adhering to judicial decisions. The ruling reinforces the judiciary’s role in upholding the rule of law and ensuring that public officers are held accountable for their actions, especially when they fail to respect legal orders and commitments.
Kimani’s sentence, while significant, also underscores the legal system’s commitment to ensuring that public officers adhere to their duties and obligations, particularly when they are entrusted with managing public funds. This case may serve as a cautionary tale for other public officials, reinforcing the need for compliance with court orders to avoid facing similar legal consequences.
