It is a blow for suspended Nairobi County Executive Committee (CEC) Member for Finance and Economic Planning Charles Kerich after the High Court declined to suspend his three-months jail sentence for contempt of court.

Justice Francis Gikonyo ruled that there was no basis to halt the sentence.

The judge added that instead of seeking temporary relief from the court, Kerich present himself to the relevant authorities.

“If he can present himself to court, let him present himself to the relevant authority,” the judge added.

Kerich was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment after the court found him guilty of contempt for failing to comply with orders requiring Nairobi County to pay Kwengu and Company Advocates Sh 106.7 million.

The money was to be remitted from funds owed by the county government to Foton East Africa Limited.

Kerich had filed an application seeking a stay of execution of the sentence pending the hearing and determination of the application.

According to court documents, Kerich argued that he a law abiding citizen and had not deliberately absconded.

However, Kwengu and Company Advocates through their lawyer Gordon Ogado, opposed the application and urged the court to compel Kerich to surrender to law enforcement officers within three days.

The judge stated that that there was no need for such directions since the existing orders were clear and should be enforced immediately by the police.

“The police should be able to arrest him immediately. Let them do their work, and if he continues like that, we will treat him as a fugitive,” the judge ruled.

Before sentencing him, the court ruled that despite being served with the court orders and a Certificate of Order, Kerich failed to ensure compliance, amounting to deliberate disobedience of lawful court orders.

Consequently, the judge issued orders directing police to arrest and commit him to prison.

Kerich was immediately suspended after he was convicted to civil jail.

he case mentioned on July 29 2026 for hearing of oral applications.