Nyali MP Mohammed Ali has taken a bold step by instructing a local auctioneering company to auction part of the properties belonging to former President Uhuru Kenyatta's family. The move is aimed at recovering a debt of Ksh500,000 owed to the MP following his successful defamation lawsuit against the Kenyatta family.
In a letter signed by Adrian Kamotho Njenga, the legislator listed various items that have been earmarked for auction. These include 40 dairy cows worth Ksh150,000, a cooling plant valued at Ksh400,000, computers, reception seats, office desks, chairs, and printers.
The auctioneers have been given a deadline of August 30, 2023, to return the warrant along with a certification of how the auction was conducted.
The letter states, "We hereby authorize and instruct you to execute the annexed warrants of attachments and sale... for the recovery of the decretal sum ordered by the High Court of Kenya, on October 11, 2022, and for the settlement of all costs, charges, penalties, interest, and expenses arising therefrom or incidental to the execution of our instructions."
The MP's lawyer also assured the auctioneers of indemnification against any costs, damage, losses, or expenses they may incur during the lawful execution of their duties.
The defamation suit that led to this situation arose from allegations made by the MP against the Kenyatta family, accusing them of exploiting dairy farmers through low milk prices. In response, Ali argued that the suit was an attempt to silence him from raising legitimate concerns brought forward by the public.
Justice Hedwig Ong'udi of the Constitutional and Human Rights Division of the High Court ultimately dismissed the case, ruling that it should have been filed in a civil court. The judge agreed with the MP's arguments and ordered the milk processor to bear the costs.
The auctioning of the Kenyatta family's assets marks a significant development in the ongoing legal battle between the MP and the former president's family, highlighting the lengths to which Ali is willing to go to settle the debt resulting from the defamation lawsuit.