Lucky day for Jirongo as judge lifts bankruptcy orders

Former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo speaks during a fundraiser in aid of Paul Barno who is supposed to undergo a kidney transplant in India. The event was held at Cheptiret-Nandet village in Uasin Gishu County on October 11, 2015. A court temporarily lifted bankruptcy orders issued against him. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The application was however opposed by businessman Sammy Boit arap Kogo.
  • Mr Jirongo’s lawyer said that the suit that led to the bankruptcy order did not fully comply with the law.

Former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo has been granted a reprieve after a court temporarily lifted bankruptcy orders issued against him for failing to pay a Sh700 million debt.

Mr Jirongo can now contest the repeat presidential election, which would have been impossible with the bankruptcy order over his head.

High Court Judge Olga Sewe on Monday allowed the request to enable the politician argue his application where he is challenging the legality of the order.

ELECTION

The judge also directed the parties to file their court papers within 14 days.

Mr Jirongo through his lawyer had argued that he would be highly prejudiced because the bankruptcy order has the effect of barring him from contesting the repeat presidential election.

“Should our application succeed later and yet the decision was not suspended, Mr Jirongo’s right to contest the election will have been greatly violated to an extent which cannot be redeemed because the electoral process would have passed,” his lawyer had told the court.

JUDGMENT
The application was, however, opposed by businessman Sammy Boit arap Kogo, who had obtained the order against him.

The High Court had earlier this month declared Mr Jirongo bankrupt, finding that the politician was unable to pay a debt amounting to Sh700 million which he owed some eight companies belonging to Mr Kogo.

Mr Jirongo’s lawyer said that the suit that led to the bankruptcy order did not fully comply with the law, establishing the bankruptcy proceedings and was therefore unlawful.

The lawyer further alleged that there was a conspiracy to ensure a judgment was entered against Mr Jirongo without his knowledge.