The Nyamira High Court issued an interim order yesterday that prohibits the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the Tea Board of Kenya, along with their agents and representatives, from swearing in or confirming the nominee directors of Gianchore, Nyankoba, Kebirigo, Nyansiongo, Tombe, and Sanganyi Tea factories.
This order will remain in effect pending the hearing and determination of an application filed on July 9, 2024. The orders, issued by Nyamira High Court Judge Justice W.A. Okwany, classified the matter as urgent.
The case is scheduled for mention on July 16, 2024. These orders were issued following a petition by six farmers—Moffat Teya, Evans Maoga, Elijah Nyabuti, Joshua Nyambacha, Joseph Nyamwaro, and Samson Kibegwa—who sued the IEBC, Tea Board of Kenya, KTDA, six tea factory companies, and 30 directors.
The petitioners alleged that the elections were conducted unlawfully because they occurred on the Sabbath, their day of worship, instead of the originally scheduled Friday. They also argued that the IEBC failed to provide adequate notice to growers and candidates after abruptly postponing the election.
The Seventh Day Adventist Church, East African Union Conference, and Nyamira SDA Conferences are listed as interested parties in the case. In a related matter, the same court issued an order restraining the newly elected Nyamira boda boda officials from being sworn in and assuming office until the case against them is heard and decided.
