The High Court in Meru has blocked a task force appointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta from executing recommendations on an assessment report.
President Kenyatta had appointed the commission to oversee the revival of miraa (khat) trading in the region in response to drastic measures taken by some trade partners.
A further Sh1.2 Billion fund had been allocated to facilitate speedy implementation of the report.
Three traders then moved to court on behalf of Nyambene Miraa Traders Association, seeking to stop the task force from having the President enact their recommendations.
[caption caption="A bunch of miraa held by a farmer"]
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As a matter of urgency, lawyers Laichena Mugambi for the petitioners and Frank Walukwe for the county government petitioned the court to first freeze the funds because the President had already gazetted the names of the task force.
"We're seeking from the court to restrain the government from releasing the money because if it's released the suit before this court will be rendered useless," Walukwe pleaded.
They further asked the court to bar the task force arguing that they had been appointed through an undisclosed and unidentified SACCO.
High Court judge Alfred Mabeya yielded, ruling that the President had appointed the task force without consultations with the stakeholders.
Justice Mabeya expressed concern over the manner in which the implementation committee conducted its research and a failure to publish the findings for members of the public to examine.
"It made the recommendations which are unknown to the public and now the very people are about to be given Sh1.2 billion to disburse. That won't do.
[caption caption="High Court Judge Alfred Mabeya"]
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"I'm satisfied that if the sum of Sh1.2 billion is released to the unknown Saccos there will be nothing to rule on once the petition is fully heard and determined," the judge ruled.
