Nairobi County Chief Officer for Environment Geoffrey Mosiria now faces a critical moment in his career and reputation as he prepares to appear before the Environment and Land Court in Nairobi on Wednesday.
His appearance comes after being found guilty of contempt of court in a case that has exposed the growing tension between public office holders and the rule of law.
Mosiria’s future in public service hangs in uncertainty as the court readies to pronounce his sentence for defying a standing order that had halted new development approvals in Parklands.
The court order in question, issued on March 5, 2025, had expressly prohibited the Nairobi City County from approving any fresh development projects in the Parklands area following environmental concerns raised by residents.
However, despite the directive, Mosiria reportedly went ahead to issue excavation and soil transport permits to several developers, a move that the court later ruled was a clear and deliberate breach of its authority.
The ruling, delivered on October 14, 2025, by a three-judge bench led by Principal Judge Oscar Angote and Justices Anne Omollo and Charles Mbogo, found that Mosiria had willfully disregarded the conservatory orders, effectively undermining the court’s authority.
This case has not only placed Mosiria at the center of legal scrutiny but also reignited debate about accountability within county administrations. Many Nairobi residents and environmental activists argue that such cases reveal how environmental protection laws are often treated casually by officials who prioritize commercial interests over public welfare.
Others believe that the court’s firm stance could mark a turning point in enforcing compliance among county officers who misuse their offices to facilitate questionable developments.
In preparation for the Wednesday hearing, Mosiria has turned to two of Kenya’s most well-known criminal defence lawyers, Danstan Omari and Cliff Ombeta, in what is seen as a high-stakes legal battle to salvage his career and reputation.
The legal duo is expected to argue that their client did not intentionally defy the court order but acted within the scope of his official duties, without malice or deliberate contempt. Their strategy, according to insiders close to the case, is to persuade the court to consider a lenient sentence or even to review the conviction entirely.
The case was initiated by the Parklands Residents Association through its members Kamal Kumar Sanghani, Jags Kaur, and Teddy Obiero, who accused the county of flouting environmental laws and disregarding judicial orders that sought to stop illegal excavation and tree felling along Jalaram Road.
To them, Mosiria’s actions represented not just disobedience but a deep betrayal of public trust.
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