Activist Mercy Tarus on Friday provided clarity on contempt of court allegations laid against her on Thursday September 12.
The Uasin Gishu native is the main witness in the Ksh1.1 billion Finland Scholarships Scandal case against former Uasin Gishu County Governor Jackson Mandago.
In a video from the court proceedings on Thursday, the magistrate could be heard warning Mercy Tarus she risks being charged with contempt of court for failing to appear in court to testify.
A few media houses also reported on the same.
A collage of Mercy Tarus during a meeting on Monday, August 7 (left) and Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago (right)
Kenyans.co.ke
Uasin Gishu County Government
However, the activist who rose to fame after fearlessly confronting Uasin Gishu leaders in 2023 took to X to express her shock at the new development as she had not been made aware of the exact dates of the court session.
“It has come to my attention that there are posts and media reports here that I did not attend court to testify.” Tarus started her statement.
Insisting that she only learnt of the impending contempt of court charge from social media, Tarus went on to say that she only received the new official dates for testifying through an official summon by the investigating officer and her lawyer last evening after she had already seen the story on social media.
Adding to her explanation, Tarus said she had attended the whole court session on the previous day, Wednesday September 12 virtually and that her mother and her legal representative were both physically present in court.
She clarified that she was told she couldn’t testify because of time and that the court had decided to set aside one week every month for three months for hearings.
“That means, in the next 90 days, the case is to have a special hearing one week every month. Meaning, this could go until December 2024.” She said.
She ended her post by insisting she was not afraid of any corrupt leader and will face them all in court.
The case has faced many hurdles so far including requests of the magistrate to recuse himself and also the governor and ex-governor failing to attend court until a warrant was issued on Monday September 9.
Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim driving a tractor.
Photo
Jonathan Bii
