Kenya: Sarrai Group Held in Contempt of Court in Mumias Suit


Kakamega — Uganda-based Sarrai Group Limited, Sarbjit Singh Rai, Rakesh Kumar and Stephen Kihumba were Friday found to be in contempt of court orders issued on July 28, 2022 regarding Mumias Sugar lease case.

While delivering the ruling, High Court judge Justice Donna Chepkwony ordered the accused to pay Sh100, 000 or serve six months in jail.

“Sarbjit Singh Rai, Rakesh Kumar and Stephen Kihumba must appear before the presiding judge on 18th May, 2023 to show cause why they should not be committed to civil jail for six (6) months,” the judge ruled.

The judge, however, dismissed an application by the petitioner, Wekesa and Simiyu Advocates, seeking to have the Chief Justice constitute a three-judge bench to hear the matter saying one-judge bench was enough.

In the July ruling, High Court in Nairobi directed Sarrai Group to stop further operations at Mumias Sugar Company.

The court also directed Rai Cement, an affiliate of the Sarrai Group, to withdraw personnel deployed at Mumias’ premises until the case lodged in court on Thursday, July 28, 2023 is heard and determined.

“Pending the hearing and determination of this application, Sarrai Group Limited, its directors, agents, employees, servants, subsidiaries and other affiliates including Mumias Sugar (2021) Limited, Rai Cement Limited be ordered to cease and desist any activity and all activities including the operation of machinery, dismantling, vandalism of machinery, removal of assets, or any other activity of whatever nature stored and situated within the premises of Mumias Sugar Limited,” Justice Wilfrida Okwany ruled.