The corridors of the Nakuru Law Courts were once again the scene of high drama on Wednesday, July 9, as Collins Kibet, a grandson of Kenya's former President Daniel Moi, was sentenced to an additional two weeks in jail. This latest term comes just days after he had completed a two-day civil jail sentence for contempt of court, marking a distressing continuum of legal woes for a member of one of Kenya's most prominent families.
As he was being escorted away, Kibet's emotional state became acutely visible. In a desperate and public outcry, he claimed to have been suffering immensely since the passing of his father, lamenting a profound lack of support and compassion. His words painted a vivid picture of personal hardship, a stark contrast to the legacy of power and privilege associated with his lineage. In an emotional breakdown, he revealed attempts to seek help from the very highest office, stating, "I'm sick. I have tried. I have suffered since my father died. I don't live anywhere. I have asked for mercy. No one has mercy these days for an orphan. I have asked the president of this country to help me, but no one can help me." His shouted plea to President William Ruto, claiming no one had compassion for orphans anymore, resonated deeply, highlighting a raw sense of abandonment.
Kibet's appearance in court on Wednesday followed his commitment to civil jail just two days prior. On Monday, July 7, Nakuru Principal Magistrate Kipkirui Kibelion had ordered his initial two-day civil jail term, indicating that further directions would be given upon his return. This had stemmed from his arrest on Thursday, July 3, which saw him spend the weekend in remand. The core of his legal troubles lies in contempt of court charges related to an ongoing child support case filed by his estranged wife, Gladys Jeruto Tagi.
Earlier this year, the same court had issued specific orders for Kibet to enroll his children at the prestigious Kabarak Schools and to cover their medical insurance scheme. His failure to comply with these directives directly led to his recent arrests. This marks the second time he has faced jail time in relation to this case. Previously, in September 2024, he was arrested and sentenced to seven days in prison for disobeying earlier court orders concerning child support payments. At that time, Principal Magistrate Kipkurui Kibelion had directed his lawyers to compute all outstanding child support amounts and serve the defense lawyers within three days, indicating a concerted effort by the court to enforce compliance.
The saga of Collins Kibet's legal troubles has been protracted. Before his eventual arrest in Ong'ata Rongai, law enforcement authorities had reportedly been searching for him for a period of seven months, underscoring the persistence of the case against him.
His estranged wife, Gladys Jeruto Tagi, first initiated the child support proceedings in 2021, accusing him of failing to provide for the upkeep of their two children. In his earlier defense, Kibet had claimed financial destitution, asserting that he was "broke" and living off the goodwill of well-wishers, hence unable to meet his children's needs.
