The High Court has suspended the implementation of the Talanta Hela program, an initiative of President William Ruto that was created to nurture grassroots talent.
Talanta Hela Council which has two technical committees, one for sports and one for creatives was established by the President on February 10, 2023, vide a Kenya Gazette Notice No.1649 (Vol.CXXV No.32).
High Court Judge Lawrence Mugambi who issued the orders Monday, granted the Sports Ministry 14 days to put their house in order and respond to the petition and application, which shall be its last chance.
“Pending the hearing and determination of this application interparties, an interim orders be and is hereby issued suspending the special issue of the Kenya Gazette Notice 1649(Vol.CXXV No.32) dated February 10,2023 publishing the establishment of the Talanta Hela Council and its Technical Committees and consequent appointments for a period of 3 years,” ruled Mugambi.
The order has been issued after a petition was filed by an advocate of the high Court who is also the petitioner Charles Mugane challenging the Sports Cabinet Sectary’s appointment of the Creative Technical Committee.
According to Mugane, the appointments were politically engineered to reward cronies while ignoring qualified Kenyans
“This was a betrayal of the public trust bestowed upon you by the Kenyan citizenry,” Mugane told Namwamba in the petition.
The petitioner further states that the appointments were made in breach of Article 10 of the Constitution.
The Article sets out the national values and principles of governance, including public participation, good governance, transparency and accountability.
Mugane wanted the judge to suspend the implementation of the council and its relevant committees in all 47 counties.
The judge also allowed Sports Kenya, Kenya Academy and Kenya Copyright Board to be enjoined in the case and also allowed Mugane to respond to issues raised by the new parties.
“That the payer to join Sports Kenya, Kenya Academy of Sports and Kenya Copyright Board is granted.” Ordered Justice Mugambi.
Adding that: “That the petitioner is granted leave to file a rejoinder once responses to the petition are filed and served.”
The case will be mentioned on June 12, 2023 for further directions.
Reporting by Christine Muchira
