A Nairobi-based auctioneer who was at the center of the illegal demolition of a house belonging to an Asian family in Westlands was admitted to hospital after he collapsed while in police custody.
Police said Zachary Baraza was arrested on Friday, July 7 by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for the offenses of stealing, trespass, and conspiracy to defeat justice.
He was detained at Muthaiga police station but on Saturday night, at around 9.30 pm, he developed breathing problems and collapsed.
He was immediately removed from the cells for fresh air and later rushed to Aga Khan Hospital where he was admitted at the hospital’s private wing.
He was later kept in hospital under police guard pending arraignment, police said.
Baraza was in November last year convicted for disobeying court orders.
Justice Oscar Angote of the Lands and Environment High Court on November 14, 2022, found Baraza of Siuma Auctioneers to be in contempt of court orders issued by a lower court on October 18 and November 1, 2022.
Baraza disobeyed the orders by carting away the household goods that were in the house in Westlands Area, along School Lane leading to the loss of property amounting to Sh70 million.
While finding him in contempt, the judge noted that Baraza abused his legal powers as an auctioneer by evicting the family without express orders or warrants of the court.
The DCI had also launched investigations into the circumstances under which Baraza’s company vandalized the multi-million property.
The family of Niraj and Avani Shah was evicted from their home, which they have occupied since 1978, along School Lane by an auctioneer.
The matter is still pending under probe.
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