Dismissing an application to lift the orders stopping Sarrai Group Ltd from beginning to revive the debt-ridden Mumias, Justice Wilfrida Okwany said the case by five shareholders-cum-farmers was urgent “and worthy of the orders to protect the subject matter”.
The extension of the orders rattled the Kakamega County Government prompting Senior Counsel James Orengo to seek disqualification of the judge from the case.
Besides the farmers being given time to respond to evidence by 10 defendants, Justice Okwany allowed West Kenya Sugar Company Ltd, through Senior Counsel Paul Muite and lawyer Martin Gitonga to join the suit.
The High Court has extended orders barring a Ugandan company picked to revive the financially crippled Mumias Sugar Company from resuming operations for six weeks.
Dismissing an application to lift the orders stopping Sarrai Group Ltd from beginning to revive the debt-ridden Mumias, Justice Wilfrida Okwany said the case by five shareholders-cum-farmers was urgent “and worthy of the orders to protect the subject matter”.
The extension of the orders rattled the Kakamega County Government prompting Senior Counsel James Orengo to seek disqualification of the judge from the case.
Mr Orengo protested the six-week window given to the five farmers and shareholders to prepare for the trial as too long.
Besides the farmers being given time to respond to evidence by 10 defendants, Justice Okwany allowed West Kenya Sugar Company Ltd, through Senior Counsel Paul Muite and lawyer Martin Gitonga to join the suit.
West Kenya had bid the highest at Ksh 36 billion ($317.04 million), yet Sarrai Group bid at KSh 5.8 billion ($51.07 million).
“How can you pick a company whose capacity is KSh 5.8 billion ($51.07 million), leaving the one with Ksh 36 billion ($317.04 million)?” asked Mr Muite. Debts
Mr Muite said West Kenya was to pay all the debts and resume work within 18 months, while Sarrai would take 80 years to restore Mumias.Mr Muite said the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) manager and the court appointed receiver manager Ramana Rao would be summoned to explain the criteria used to pick Sarrai and leave West Kenya.The judge heard that Sarrai Group, the lowest bidder, had not filed the signed lease agreement in court as proof that it had compounded its status.Urging the judge to quit the case, Mr Orengo said the judge relied on submissions stated off record in extending the orders requiring Sarrai to stay away from the sugar company whose operations ground to […]
