Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho has encountered his first major setback since taking over the plum docket after activist Okiya Omtatah moved to the High Court to block the minister from re-tendering a multi-million-shilling fish project.....CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
Justice Olga Sewe issued a temporary order restraining the Cabinet Secretary and other State officials from awarding any contracts on re-advertisement for works at the multi-million Liwatoni Fresh and Frozen Fish Processing Plant in Mombasa County.
“A temporary injunction is hereby issued restraining the respondents, whether by themselves, servants, agents, assigns, and any person claiming to act under them from handing over the Liwatoni Fresh and Frozen Fish process plant, Mombasa county, to a new firm or contractor under Tender No. MMBE&MA/SDBE&F/31/2023-2024 for the proposed completion of Liwatoni Fresh and Frozen Fish Processing Plant,” Justice Olga Sewe ordered.
Omtatah in his petition argued that the CS planned to re-advertise the the tender for the proposed completion works of a fisheries plant by the State in Mombasa County.
The Busia Senator argues the project is already completed and has been ready for operations. Apart from Joho, Omtatah sued principal secretaries in the State Departments for Blue Economy and Fisheries, and Public Works, Chief Executive Officer of Kenya Fishing Industries Corporation, and Attorney-General Dorcas Oduor.
“The application be served forthwith on the respondents for further directions by the court on September 19,” ruled Justice Sewe.
Omtatah argued that the re-advertisement of the completed project is a scheme to hoodwink Kenyans and make away with colossal amounts of public money.
The Busia Senator revealed that the plant is operational and thus does not require further procurement processes or contract award.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta officially launched the Liwatoni plant in August 2022. The fishing plant cost the government Ksh1.2 billion and has so far created 3,000 jobs since it began operations.
The former Mombasa Governor was installed as the Cabinet Secretary for Mining and Blue Economy in July after a deal between President Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga.
His appointment has however been challenged with petitioners moving to court seeking the former Mombasa Governor’s removal….CLICK HERE FOR MORE ARTICLE>>>
