This archive report was first published on 27 August 2021.
On July 5, a court issued orders stopping implementation of the budget that was approved by the Vihiga County Assembly, plunging the county into financial problems.
Former County Secretary Francis Ominde and political activist Joseph Simekha moved to court to challenge the legality of Vihiga's 2021/2022 budget, arguing it was not approved by the county executive committee as required by law.
Justice William Musyoka of the High Court in Kakamega dismissed Governor Wilber Ottichilo's application to stop the case, saying it failed to meet the threshold.
"Overall, there is no merit in the objections set out in the notice 16 of preliminary objection, dated July 5, 2021 and I hereby disallow the said objections and dismiss them. There shall be no order as to the costs," read part of Justice Musyoka's ruling.
The case will now proceed, with Finance Executive Alfred Indeche, Governor Ottichilo, County Assembly Speaker Hasna Mudeizi, and County Assembly Clerk Ambaka Kilinga listed as respondents.
The Controller of Budget and Deputy Governor Patrick Saisi are among those listed as interested parties.
