Sarrai Group is yet again facing another hurdle in its bid to take over Mumias Sugar company after a petitioner moved to court seeking orders to halt its operations.
Jackline Chepkemoi Kimeto, an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, is seeking interim conservatory orders "to preserve the assets of the company".
She argues that there is no receiver on the ground and the "assets are being vandalized".
“It has now come to my attention that Sarrai Group took advantage of the exparte stay orders to vandalise Mumias Sugar Company’s assets whilst not even intending to file an appeal although the stay orders were applied for and issued pending their filing of an appeal," Kimeto said in court papers seen by this writer and dated July 22.
“They have not filed their appeal to date almost five months since interim stay orders were granted.”
The documents were presented to High Court judge Justice Wilfrida Okwany.
The petitioner further accused Sarrai Group of removing equipment from the sugar factory and moving them to an unknown location.
“It has come to my knowledge that Sarrai Group is currently dismantling and vandalizing machinery and stripping away Mumias’ assets from the premises in a clear exercise aimed at cannibalizing its assets,” she added in the court papers.
The petitioner further claimed that there is no one supervising Mumias Sugar premises since the day court terminated Sarrai Group lease.
“Sarrai Group activities have been emboldened by utterances made in politicians in public meetings that no one can stop it from operationalizing Mumias Sugar factory. These remarks are in the public domain,” Kimeto stated.
Justice Okwany certified Kimeto’s petition as urgent. The matter will be heard on July 27.
Parties in the case have until close of business on Tuesday, July 26 to respond.
