Workers offloading sugar. [Photo/nation.co.ke]
The high court has temporarily banned the importation of duty-free sugar.
The importation was highlighted in a gazette notice that extended the importation of the commodity to December.
Justice Enoch Chacha Mwita issued the directive after activist Okiya Omtata sued Treasury secretary Henry Rotich for extending the importation.
“A conservatory order be and is hereby issued suspending the sued parties’ gazette notice No.9801 dated September 29 , allowing importation of duty free sugar,” said Justice Mwita.
The actvist claimed that the gazette notice is arbitrary as it was imposed without public participation.
He argued that should the importation of duty free sugar proceed, it would complicate matters for many cane farmers and workers in factories across the country.
He argued that there was no sugar shortage to warrant such a decision.