High Court temporarily suspends Sale Of 11 State Corporations To Hear ODM Petition
The sale of 11 state corporations has been temporarily halted by the High Court in response to a petition filed by Raila Odinga, the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement.
High Court Judge Chacha Mwita stated that ODM’s petition raises significant constitutional and legal issues of public importance, requiring careful examination and consideration by the court.
According to the petition, state-owned entities such as the Kenya Pipeline Corporation (KPC), National Oil Corporation (NOC), Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), and Kenya Seed Company (KPC) are deemed strategically important to the people of Kenya and should only be privatized with the people’s consent through a referendum.
“The sale of the state corporations elicits national security concerns that directly threaten the sovereignty of the people and the Republic of Kenya,” it says.
The judge has instructed the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party to formally deliver the petition to key individuals, including the Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang’ula, the Attorney General, Justin Muturi, and the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury, Njuguna Ndung’u.
“A conservatory order is hereby issued suspending implementation of Section 21(1) of the Privatization Act 2023 and or any decisions made pursuant to that section, until 6th February 2024 at 11 a.m.,” Justice Mwita stated.
Wetangula, Muturi, and Njuguna, identified as respondents, are required to submit their responses within five days from the time they are officially served with the petition.
Judge Mwita has specified that the highlighting of submissions is scheduled for February 6 of the following year.
Among the 11 parastatals listed by the National Treasury for potential sale are Western Kenya Rice Mills, New KCC, Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers, Rivatex, and Numerical Machining Complex.
