Preaching gospel saves former county official from jail term
Preaching the gospel has spared a former County Executive in Mombasa a 60-days jail term for contempt of court.
Mr Anthony Njaramba, the former County Executive in charge of Land and Housing, is also a preacher at a Mombasa church.
He was found guilty of failing to obey court orders issued by Mombasa High Court judge Eric Ogola.
On Tuesday, Justice Ogola said if he was not satisfied that the Mr Njaramba was not telling the truth, he could have jailed him for 60 days without an option of a fine.
“(Mr Njaramba) is a preacher of gospel of salvation and forgiveness, it is probably time to now also receive forgiveness. I am reluctant to put a mark on his character which would be inconsistent with his mark as a preacher of the gospel,” said the judge.
The judge further said that although the gospel can be and has been preached in prison cells, Mr Njaramba still has business to do with his freedom.
SET FREE
“On account of his work, this court declines to sentence Mr Njaramba who is now set free,” said Justice Ogola.
The court however noted that it was the duty of the court to ensure that its orders are carried out.
“This is the only way to ensure law and order can be maintained. Willful disobedience of the law must attract appropriate punishment,” said Justice Ogola.
Prior to the court’s decision, Mr Njaramba pleaded for leniency saying during his tenure as the county executive he had not disobeyed any court orders.
Mr Njaramba was found in contempt of the orders which had been directed to the county government of Mombasa compelling it to stamp and return building plans of a company intending to set and operate a data collocation centre.
The judge had also directed the county government to issue Kooba Kenya Ltd with a certificate of approval of the plans.
The company had filed an application seeking that the court finds Mr Njaramba in contempt of the judgment and court orders issued on April 13 and be committed to civil jail for six months.
Kooba Kenya Ltd sued the county government seeking over Sh100 million as compensation in respect to damages incurred due to delay in commencing the project to set up the data centre.