Nairobi — More than 200 victims of Kenya's Nyayo House torture chambers on Wednesday demanded the sacking of Attorney General Amos Wako for refusing to compensate them as ordered by a court last year.

Led by former assistant minister Koigi wa Wamwere, former MP Otieno Mak'Onyango and lawyer Rumba Kinuthia, the torture victims accused Mr Wako of disobeying orders issued by the High Court in Nairobi and Kisumu.

They said the AG was a public servant legally ordered to comply, satisfy and obey the court judgment and decree given on May 28, last year, for the government to compensate each of them with Sh1.2 million.

Mr Kinuthia said the judgment was given in the presence of five State counsel, who were at liberty to appeal within 30 days, but they did not.

On July 14, the AG's office was required to approve and stamp the draft copy of the decree but allegedly declined. However, the High Court proceeded to seal and sign the decree as provided for by law.

Contempt charges

"What pains us is that the AG has disobeyed court orders to pay deserving Nyayo House torture victims, while spending money on luxury projects. We have given the government notice that contempt proceedings shall be instituted," they said in a statement.

Under President Moi's leadership, thousands of government opponents were arrested and held in dark, water-logged cells for weeks on end with little food or drinking water.

Among those tortured in the cells is Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who was held there in 1988 and 1990.

Hundreds of people who disappeared in the late 1980s are thought to have died in Nyayo House.