Judiciary Chief Registrar Winfridah Mokaya faces a six-month jail term for disobeying a court order to pay Sh3 million to a Judiciary staff member.

James Nguru received a Sh3 million award in 2021 for personal injuries he sustained at work, but the Judiciary failed to pay him.

High Court Judge Samwel Mohochi ordered Mokaya to appear in court to explain why she shouldn’t be jailed for contempt and given appropriate punishment for refusing and failing to comply with court orders.

“This Court will not be so quick to curtail the liberties of individuals like subjecting them to a civil jail without first allowing them to redeem themselves and purge the contempt,” the judge noted.

On May 9, 2024, the High Court issued an order compelling Mokaya to pay the amount.

A Nakuru Chief Magistrate Court awarded Nguru the compensation in October 2022 after he sued the Judiciary, the Chief Registrar, and the Attorney-General.

But since then, the Judiciary has failed to pay him. He accused the Judiciary of failing to comply with or honour the order without lawful justification.

“He argued that because the award relates to personal injury, he needs the sum to continue his treatment, but Mokaya is inclined to frustrate his efforts, demonstrating absolute disregard and contempt of court order,” the ruling stated.