Kenya's High Court has referred a major debt lawsuit to Chief Justice Martha Koome for a special panel of judges. Senator Okiya Omtatah and eight activists filed the case challenging the country's massive borrowing practices. The court decided the petition raises serious constitutional questions that need multiple judges to review. Justice Mwamuye ruled Thursday that the case requires at least three judges to hear it properly.
The lawsuit targets 4.6 trillion shillings borrowed during the previous government's term. Omtatah claims these loans were taken without proper parliament approval and calls them illegal debt that should not burden taxpayers. The activists argue Kenya's leaders went on a reckless borrowing spree that violated constitutional rules. They want the court to declare these debts unconstitutional and force the government to follow proper procedures for future loans.
The petition claims the current administration has borrowed another 143 billion shillings without parliament's permission. According to the activists, Kenya has overpaid its public debts by more than 2 trillion shillings through questionable deals. The total disputed debt reaches 10.7 trillion shillings from 2014 to 2024. Chief Justice Koome must select the judges who will decide this constitutional challenge.
The lawsuit targets 4.6 trillion shillings borrowed during the previous government's term. Omtatah claims these loans were taken without proper parliament approval and calls them illegal debt that should not burden taxpayers. The activists argue Kenya's leaders went on a reckless borrowing spree that violated constitutional rules. They want the court to declare these debts unconstitutional and force the government to follow proper procedures for future loans.
The petition claims the current administration has borrowed another 143 billion shillings without parliament's permission. According to the activists, Kenya has overpaid its public debts by more than 2 trillion shillings through questionable deals. The total disputed debt reaches 10.7 trillion shillings from 2014 to 2024. Chief Justice Koome must select the judges who will decide this constitutional challenge.
