This archive report was first published on 19 September 2019.
Published on September 19, 2019, a High Court judge issued an order temporarily halting the 2019 national karting championship junior class season after two parents sued the Kenya Motor Sports Federation (KMSF) for banning their sons from participating in the races.
The parents protested a ban on their sons' participation in the races and a Sh10,000 fine imposed on them without being given a chance to be heard. They described KMSF's decision as prejudicial to their children.
The parents also claimed that KMSF illegally annulled results for rounds five and eight of last year's championship, thus blocking their sons from being champions in the junior class. They said their appeal to the federation did not bear any fruit, prompting them to go to court.
High Court judge Weldon Korir's order temporarily stopped the competition and barred the federation from issuing notices for races pending hearing and determination of the case. The judge also found that failure by the federation to hear and determine the parents' appeal was a violation of the minors' right to fair administrative action and access to justice.
However, KMSF argues that their rules require participants to take part in at least 80 per cent of the races. Through lawyer Brian Murangasia, the federation claimed that the parents did not have the right to sue because their children did not apply for the 2019 karting driving licences, hence they were not eligible to compete.
