The former Jicho Pevu reporter has instructed a local auctioneering company to auction part of former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s properties.
The assets are to be auctioned in order to recover Ksh500,000 owed to him. The amount is yet to be paid despite winning the defamation suit against the Kenyatta family.
In a letter addressed to the auctioneers, the MP listed various items to be auctioned. These include dairy cows, a cooling plant, computers, reception seats, office desks, office chairs, and printers.
The auctioneers were given instructions to execute the warrants of attachment and sale. They are to return the warrant before August 30, 2023, along with a certification of how the auction was carried out.
“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 letter reads.
Ali’s lawyer stated that they would indemnify the auctioneers against any costs or losses incurred during the process.
“At all material times, we hereby agree to indemnify you against all costs, damage, losses, and expenses you may incur in the lawful exercise of your duties as licensed auctioneers,” the statement continues.
In the defamation suit, Ali was accused of defaming the Kenyatta family by alleging that ‘they were exploiting dairy farmers through low milk prices’. Ali argued that the suit was an attempt to silence him from raising concerns on behalf of the public.
Judge Ong’udi also upheld Ali’s arguments and ordered the milk processor to bear the costs of the case. The judge stated that no rights were violated when Ali made the remarks against the company.
Many would wonder why the Kenyattas would fail to pay such a ‘small’ amount considering their vast wealth.
Oxfam International, a global charity organization that fights inequality lists President Uhuru Kenyatta as the fourth wealthiest Kenyan with a fortune of $530 million (Sh60 billion). However, the organization adds that this wealth is likely associated with the wider Kenyatta family. Forbes has in the past stated that the former president was worth $500 million.
The Kenyatta family retains interests in a wide range of sectors, including banking, milk processing, transport, media, hospitality and land.
Oxfam’s figures are based on data from Wealth-X, an organization that tracks the records of the world’s wealthiest individuals. The charity said the data was up to date as of November 30, 2021.
