Former Water Minister John Mutua Katuku in a Past Interview. Photo Courtesy Facebook. 
By Andrew Mbuva
Former Water Minister John Mutua Katuku has accused police officers, auctioneers, and an insurance company of flouting a High Court order to seize and sell his property worth millions of shillings in what he describes as a “brazen and unlawful” operation.
Speaking on a local radio station, Katuku said the incident occurred early Monday morning when auctioneers, accompanied by the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Masii and a contingent of police officers, stormed his Kibauni home in Mwala Subcounty.
“They did not even knock. They broke my gate to gain entry,” Katuku lamented. “I was informed by my workers that officers and auctioneers were inside my home. When I spoke to one of them, Ruth Kilonzo, she told me they were there to auction my property over a 2016 accident involving my vehicle.”
Katuku claims the auction team demanded Ksh 10 million — Ksh 9 million in claims and Ksh 1 million as auction fees — on the spot, despite his explanation that there was a High Court order barring any auction of his assets.
According to the former minister, the accident in question was covered by an insurance company that initially agreed to settle the claims in instalments. The firm paid Ksh 5 million but defaulted on the remaining Ksh 4 million after being placed under receivership.
“We went to the High Court and secured a moratorium stopping any recovery actions until the company’s assets were valued,” Katuku explained. “Unfortunately, lawyers for another insurer obtained orders from a magistrate’s court and used them to justify this raid.”
Katuku said the auctioneers carted away tractors, water bowsers, cattle, and goats, which were immediately sold at Masii Market at what he termed “throwaway prices.”
“A cow worth Ksh 200,000 was sold for Ksh 40,000. A goat worth Ksh 30,000 was sold for just Ksh 7,000. This is against the law, which requires that seized property be stored in an auction yard and advertised for sale after 14 days,” he protested.
The former minister revealed he has filed a fresh case against the insurance company, the auctioneer, OCS Masii, and the Mwala OCPD, accusing them of contempt of court and violating auction regulations.
“This is not just about me. It is a lesson for the public on the need to know their legal rights and ensure the law is respected,” Katuku concluded.
