Former Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama last week sued the government after it declined to grant his company, Rockland Kenya, a mining license.
Media houses reported on the story as part of the ongoing crackdown by the Jubilee government, against opposition politicians and supporters.
In my opinion, however, the big story of the day was the attempt by the president to use executive powers to advance his family business.
The lucrative mining industry in Taita Taveta County, which produces precious minerals such as rubies and gemstones, operates in a somewhat oligopoly structure.
There are three main operators in the multi-billion precious stones mining industry who include Muthama, businessman Kamlesh Pattni, former Mwatate MP Marseden Madoka, Machakos, and the Kenyatta family.
The Minister for Mining, a direct appointee of President Kenyatta, has denied an export license to Muthama’s firm in a move that will indirectly result in the Kenyatta family business making more profits from the exit of one of their competitors.
It is also important to remember that this is not the first time that the government has interfered in the mining business to benefit powerful state officials.
Muthama’s company was inherited from an American geologist, John Saul who founded Rockland International Corporation in the late 1970s.
However, Wikileaks reports that then-President Jomo Kenyatta deported the American geologist in an incident that nearly caused a diplomatic war between Kenya and the United States.
Saul’s precious mines were shortly after taking over by Jomo’s wife Mama Ngina and his niece Beth Mugo, but he returned after the first President’s death in 1978 to reclaim part of the mines that are now owned by Muthama.
Kenyans who are concerned with the rule of law must criticise the government’s attempt to use executive power to benefit the families of state officials – however wealthy or powerful they may be.
The writer is a journalist and a political commentator