Laptop case to heard after two months

By Pamela Chepkemei

Nairobi, Kenya: The Government’s laptop pledge to public primary schools will not be fulfilled soon as the legal dispute over the Sh24.6 million tender will be heard in two months’ time.

Wednesday, three judges appointed by the Chief Justice Willy Mutunga to hear the case ordered that the trial commences on June 30.

High Court judges George Kimondo, Mumbi Ngugi and George Odunga also directed the parties in the case to file their written submissions. The judges directed that lawyer Mohammed Nyaoga representing Olive Telecommunications PVT Ltd, which filed the case, will only be allowed to address the court for 45 minutes.

The Attorney General and other parties named as respondents will be allocated half-an-hour each to present their arguments.

The case was filed by Olive Telecommunications PVT Ltd after the Public Procurement and Review Board (PPRB) cancelled the tender award to the Indian company.

Following the application by Olive, High Court judge Weldon Korir on March 19 stopped the Government from procuring the supply tender afresh.

The PPRB further directed the ministry to review tender documents for HP and Haier Electrical Appliances within 45 days from March 11.

But Olive wants the court to stop the board from procuring afresh the tender until their case is heard and determined.