Kenya high court demands Matiang’i suit response

The Kenyan High Court has demanded that interior cabinet secretary, Fred Matiang’i, must respond to a suit that alleges he ordered the illegal confiscation of slot machines.

Matiang’i had been responsible for a drive to rid the nation of illegal betting units. He and several county commissioners have confiscated and destroyed hundreds of such machines as part of a crackdown against illegal practices.

Now Justice Wilfrida Okwany has ruled that Matiang’i and those affiliated with his actions must cease all such operations be it personally, or through agents.

The case was brought forward by the civil rights activist Okiya Omtatah who alleges the raids have been conducted without due judicial process. Several of those who ran operations that had been targeted have also filed proceedings against county governments for failing to comply with a court order prohibiting crackdowns.