Govt Loses Another Battle Against Ndii and Orengo

The High Court has suspended the government's decision to revoke the passports of NASA strategist David Ndii and Siaya Senator James Orengo.

In a ruling on Monday, the court also nullified the decision by the state to invalidate Dagoretti North MP Simba Arati's passport alongside other NASA leaders who had filed the lawsuit.

Seven NASA leaders had moved to court to challenge the decision by the government in what they termed as actions to suppress the National Resistance Movement.

Justice John Mativo issued orders restraining the government from interfering with the leaders' travelling documents and any movements in and out of the country.

[caption caption="High court Judge John Mativo"][/caption]

The judge further ruled that the order will remain until the case is heard and determined.

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, businessman Jimi Wanjigi, former Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama were among NASA leaders whose passports were revoked by the state.

The government heightened a crackdown on opposition figures following a move by the opposition to “swear in” Raila Odinga as “the people’s president”.

The Director of Immigration Gordon Kihalang’wa, in a letter addressed to the seven stated that the revocation was done in line with the 2011 Citizen and Immigration Act, which indicates reasons for suspending travel documents.

Dr Kihalang’wa further directed the NASA leaders to surrender their passports to the immigration offices within 21 days, failure to which, he remarked the documents will be declared null and void.

[caption caption="Director of Immigration Gordon Kihalang’wa"][/caption]

However, in response to the order, Dr Ndii accused the immigration director of using a non-existent section of the law to suspend their passports.