Ex-governor Ruto withdraws case against Moi University

Former Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto has withdrawn a case in which he had sued Moi University over the construction of the institution’s satellite campus in Bomet town.

The Court of Appeal in Nakuru allowed the withdrawal of the case following a request by Mr Ruto’s lawyer Steve Biko, on Tuesday.

Mr Biko cited lack of political will by the new county boss, Ms Joyce Laboso, to continue pursuing the matter.

Mr Ruto lost to Ms Laboso in the last General Election.

CAMPUS
Justices GBM Kariuki, Fatuma Sichale and Sankale ole Kantai, in their ruling, said the governor was not opposed to the withdrawal.

“The lawyer representing the respondents (Moi University and Bomet County Government) have not objected to the request, thus the case is withdrawn,” they ruled.

Mr Biko told the court that he had not received any instructions from the current governor to continue pursuing the matter.

In the application filed on June 7, Governor Ruto sought to have the Court of Appeal to review its judgment, which allowed the construction of the university campus on a 10-acre parcel of land in Bomet town. 

PUBLIC INTEREST
The move came after the judges struck out the appeal over delays in filling the appeal notice. 

While arguing out the application Mr Biko had claimed that the matter was of public interest, which raised pertinent issues involving two public institutions and which ought not to be dismissed on grounds of mere late filing. 

The county was putting up a stadium on the piece of land, hence the move against the university.