Jubilee Party leader, Uhuru Kenyatta. [Photo/The Star]
President Uhuru Kenyatta’s promise to miraa farmers is facing a legal hurdle, after a High Court judge stopped the state from disbursing Sh1.2 billion to the sector.
Justice Alfter Mabeya of the Meru High Court has temporarily stopped the government from funding the sector.
Justice Mabeya said in his ruling said that the government did not involve major stakeholders in the miraa farming in trying to reform the sector.The judge has stopped Uhuru’s government from converting a 14-member committee spearheading reforms in the miraa industry into an implementation agency until the main case was heard and determined.The application against the Sh1.2 billion grant was filed by Nyambene Miraa Trade Association and its officials Kimathi Munjuri, Jacob Miriti and Naftali Kathurima.The association’s officials in the suit stated that a directive to release the Sh1.2 billion to a proposed miraa co-operative, without involving the county government of Meru, contravened national principals of power sharing and devolution.
The court’s ruling came on the eve of the president’s visit to Meru County, the hub of miraa farming.
On September 1, the Supreme Court nullified Uhuru's victory in the August polls. The apex court ruled that there were irregularities and illegalities in the election, after a petition was filed by Raila Odinga.
Uhuru is today expected to take his re-election bid to the region where the opposition also has a significant support.