Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho has suffered his first major setback since taking over the plum docket when activist Okiya Omtatah petitioned the High Court to prevent the minister from re-tendering a multi-million-shilling fish project.
Justice Olga Sewe issued a temporary order prohibiting the Cabinet Secretary and other State officials from awarding any contracts for re-advertisement 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 argued in his petition that the CS intended to re-advertise the tender for the proposed completion of a fisheries plant by the State in Mombasa County.
According to the Busia Senator, the project is already completed and ready for operation.
Aside from Joho, Omtatah sued the principal secretaries of the State Departments of Blue Economy and Fisheries and Public Works, the 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 claimed that the re-advertisement of the completed project was a ruse to dupe Kenyans and steal massive amounts of public funds.
The Busia Senator revealed that the plant is operational and thus does not require any further procurement or contract award.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta officially inaugurated the Liwatoni plant in August 2022.
The fishing plant cost the government Ksh1.2 billion and has already created 3,000 jobs since it began operations.
The former Mombasa Governor was appointed Cabinet Secretary for Mining and Blue Economy in July following a deal between President Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga.
His appointment, however, has been challenged, with petitioners suing to have the former Mombasa Governor removed.
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