High Court suspends Sh2.1B deal between Nakuru county and NYS

Judge gavel. [Courtes/GettyImages]

The High Court has suspended the controversial Sh2.1B roads deal between Nakuru County and the National Youth Service (NYS).

The Court has certified as urgent a petition filed by Paul Muchiri and Kepha Omuyoma who had said that the agreement was entered without procurement process and public participation.

The two wanted the court to issue conservatory orders suspending the county and NYS from operationalising the deal that was entered on the 7th of November

They further wanted the county barred from approving or realising any payments to NYS until the petition was heard and determined.

In his ruling, Justice Julius Nangea certified the matter as urgent and issued the conservatory orders until January 19, 2026 when the petition is slated for mention.

The judge directed the county and NYS to file their responses within seven days and that all parties file and exchange their written submissions within 21 days.

Last week, the county entered into an MOU with NYS to maintain all the feeder roads under the Imarisha Barabara programme over the next year.

Following the court orders, MCAs and leaders from Nakuru welcomed the decision accusing the Governor of flouting the law and surpassing the county assembly in decision making.

While welcoming the court's decision, Naivasha East MCA Stanley Karanja accused the executive of intimidating the ward leaders to give in to the controversial MOU.

The outspoken MCA wondered why the county was kin to use NYS machinery and personnel yet the two previous governors had procured roads equipment that were lying idle.

He added that the county had ignored the Public Procurement and asset disposal act which gave opportunities to youths, women and the disabled a chance to get job opportunities.

"Am asking my fellow MCAs to rise to the occasion and perform their oversight duty and not to be intimidated by some county officers who are benefiting from this deal," he said.

Another leader, Edward Maina said that the county had failed to subject the MOU to mandatory public participation, denying residents the opportunity to approve the process.

He added that MCAs had conducted public participation where voters were given a chance to identify projects that would be undertaken by the county.

"We are talking about Sh2.1B which is a lot of money and we shall not sit back as few individuals misuse our cash in the name of illegal deals with State agencies," he said.