Former minister in abject poverty despite winning Sh20m as compensation

By JOE KIARIE

Kenya: Former assistant minister and Alego Usonga MP Otieno Mak’Onyango depicts the agony claimants awarded compensation in court go through before laying their hands on the cash.

The veteran journalist, 68, was arrested and detained for four years after the foiled 1982 coup. Accused of being among the masterminds of the coup, he was physically and psychologically tortured during his time in detention. He lost his job upon arrest while his family slowly disintegrated in his absence.

In his quest to get justice, in 2003 sued the Government for unlawful arrest and detention as well as malicious prosecution, representing himself in a 10-year case where former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who they were detained together, was among the prosecution witnesses.

Grace of God

In the judgment made on June 15, 2012, Lady Justice Kalpana Rawal awarded the former MP Sh20 million in compensation for violation of his rights.

Almost two years down the line, the amount, which has risen to Sh24 million due to accrued interest, is yet to be paid and the former lawmaker’s life is a stark contrast of his millionaire status.

Old, sickly and lonely, Mak’Onyango has for the past three years been living in a rusty two-roomed shack constructed in a friend’s compound in the outskirts of Ngong town, Kajiado County.

Visibly frail as a result of diabetes and hypertension, the once articulate MP cannot even afford food, leave alone medication for his illnesses.

“I survive by the grace of God,” he told The Standard on Saturday at his home, firmly grasping onto a cup of black tea while preparing to boil beans donated by a former legislator.

He says: “I have been boxed here. This is the worst form of torture as people reasonably find it hard to donate money for the upkeep of a millionaire.”

Desperate to get his money and lead a decent life, Mak’Onyango says he has been calling the Attorney General’s office every week and writing to Attorney General Githu Muigai once every two months, but all has been in vain.