The Farmers Party, an affiliate of Kenya Kwanza on Thursday, April 13, filed a petition at the High Court against Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi's maize deal with Zambia.
Irungu Nyakera's party was irked by Linturi's decision to contract Zambian farmers to carry out large-scale cultivation of maize for export to Kenya.
In the petition, the party termed the action as unreasonable, irrational, and illegal and in gross violation of the Constitution of Kenya.
Farmers Party argued that it is the duty of the country to offer enabling infrastructure for Kenyan farmers to produce food locally.
"The decisions have undermined the principle of leadership requiring that a public office be run in a manner which is consistent with the Constitution of Kenya," read part of the documents.
Furthermore, the Farmers Party argued that the move had implications of denying the Kenyan farmers a livelihood and by extension their right to life.
"The petitioner avers that the impugned decision violates Articles 60 and 69 of the Constitution. It will result in the non-use of land in Kenya in a manner that is amongst other things efficient, productive, and sustainable," the party argued.
The party pleaded with the High Court to declare the decision by Linturi as well as the memorandum of understanding between Kenya and Zambia to produce maize in Zambia for Export to Kenya as null and void.
"An order that the CS forthwith stops the furtherance of any process towards the implementation of the memorandum of understanding," the party demanded.
Notably, Attorney General Justin Muturi was also sued in the petition for holding the capacity as the principal legal advisor to the government of Kenya.
On March 6, Linturi met Zambian Agriculture Minister Mtolo Phiri to seal the deal. However, on Wednesday, April 12, the South African country announced a maize shortage.
“The finance minister Situmbeko Musokotwane has signed a statutory instrument to provide for the suspension of duty on maize flour this is to help address the shortage of maize flour in some parts of the country,” read part of the statement.
