High Court stops Gov't decision to lease four sugar companies

The High Court has temporarily halted the leasing of State-owned sugar milling companies until a case filed in court is heard and determined.

Justice Chacha Mwita on Wednesday, while issuing the orders, directed parties in the case to file their responses within seven days.

In the court papers, Nzoia Sugar Company Limited, Chemelil Sugar Company Limited, Muhoroni Sugar Company Limited and South Nyanza Sugar Company Limited were to be placed under a long term lease with its operations to be fully under private investors.

Petitioner Martin Nyongesa sued Treasury Cabinet Secretary Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u, Principal Secretaries under the ministries of Treasury and Agriculture as well as Attorney General Justin Muturi over the move to lease the sugar companies.

“An interim conservatory order is hereby granted halting the tendering process  under the international tender notice No. MOALD/SDA/IT/001/2023-2024,” the judge ruled.