Sh500m NCPB dispute may not end soon

By ISAIAH LUCHELI

A Sh500 million breach of contract dispute pitting a state corporation against a supplier will take longer to be concluded after a judge disqualified himself from the suit.

Appellate judge David Maraga withdrew from hearing the dispute, which has paralysed the operations of National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) and placed the national grain strategic reserve at risk of lacking storage as the supplier seeks to sell its silos and buildings.

Arriving at his verdict, Maraga explained that he had been on a Bench that had earlier given a verdict on another matter involving Erad Suppliers and General Contractors and the state corporation.

The matter was scheduled to be heard by Court of Appeal judges Philip Waki, Maraga and Agnes Murgor but was adjourned indefinitely following Maraga’s withdrawal.

Erad had moved to the High Court seeking an order to dispose of buildings and silos belonging to the corporation in order to recover its money, but the Court of Appeal restrained the company following the cereals firm’s appeal. NCPB, had told the court there was fresh evidence indicating there were questions over awarding of the contract to Erad.