Suit against Narok County by Ntimama, two politicians moved to Nakuru

Narok, Kenya: A case filed by three politicians challenging a decision by Narok County Government to appoint a private company to collect revenue at Maasai Mara Game Reserve has been transferred to Nakuru.

High Court Judge Mumbi Ngugi directed that the case be taken from Nairobi to Nakuru where it will be heard and determined. The Narok County Government has not replied to the case filed last week by the three politicians.

A lawyer representing the Narok County Government had told the court that the case should be determined in Nakurubecause Narok falls under the jurisdiction of Nakuru High Court.

Judge Ngugi told the parties during the mention of the case yesterday that they will be notified of the date when the case will be mentioned at the High Court in Nairobi.

Three politicians, former Cabinet Minister William Ole Ntimama, Ledama Ole Kina and Joseph ole Karai have sued the Governor of Narok County and Kaps Limited which was contracted to collect revenue.

The three accuse the Governor of Narok of mysteriously without public participation directing that the revenue from Maasai Mara Game Reserve be made to Kaps Limited.

As a result of the decision, 300 employees who were revenue collection officers were terminated of their duties and another 250 risk losing their jobs, the politicians claim.

The petitioners say they have been unable to obtain information on the contract from the County Government despite making several requests.

They want the court to order the Governor of Narok and the County Government to release all the information concerning the partneship entered into with Kaps Ltd.

The politicians also want the court to stop further implementation of all the contractual arrangements between Narok County Government and Kaps Ltd pending the hearing and determination of the case.

The petitioners claim that the residents of Narok County and the County Assembly of Narok was not consulted before the decision to enlist the services of Kaps Ltd was done.

They argue that the Governor was required by law to set up a county economic forum for purposes of deciding if Kaps was entitled to be given the contract.

They contend that the partnership between Kaps and Narok County Government is illegal and unlawful.