Trade Unions' registrar Mathenge jailed for one month in KMPDU contempt case

Registrar of Trade Unions Beatrice Mathenge when she appeared in Court on November 3, 2023. [Courtesy]

"In the said judgment, this honorable Court directed the registrar of Trade Unions to register the officials of the appellant elected on June 11, 2022, and communicated to the Registrar vide form Q dated June 13, 2022," read a section of court papers.

Following the judgment, KMPDU wrote to the registrar vide letters dated February 14, 2023, requesting for registration of its officials in compliance with the judgment of the Court."

According to court's documents, on March 1, 2023, KMPDU through their advocates, wrote to the registrar asking for compliance with the judgment of the Court.

KMPDU went on to state that, despite sending her numerous letters, Ms Mathenge still declined to comply with the court order to register its officials following their election.

Ms Mathenge did not also file any responses in the case, prompting KMPDU to file a contempt application on March 6, 2023, for disregard of the court ruling.

The doctors' union sought an order committing the Registrar of Trade Unions to civil jail for six months for acting in contempt of the judgment.

Justice Ongaya on August 9, 2023, directed Ms Mathenge to appear before the court on September 25, 2023, and show compliance with the earlier orders or risk sentencing for contempt.

And on October 25, Justice Ongaya found Ms Mathenge guilty of contempt of court orders and issued a warrant for her arrest.

The Judge directed Capitol Hill Police Station OCS to arrest Ms Mathenge and present her in court the following morning for mentioning of the case.