Lawyers representing former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju have raised concerns after an application he filed at the Court of Appeal of Kenya reportedly disappeared from the day’s cause list, despite earlier indications that it would be heard on Monday morning.
Tuju’s lawyer Grado Mabachi said the legal team arrived prepared for the hearing scheduled for 9 a.m., only to be informed by registry officials that the matter was not listed.
“This matter was supposed to be heard at 9AM, We had official communication from the judiciary.but the people at the registry said it’s not in the cause list. They told us they would let us know,yet my client has pressing issues. Mabachi said.
The unexpected development has created uncertainty around Tuju’s attempt to challenge a recent High Court decision that cleared the way for auctioneers to evict him from his property.
In his application before the appellate court, Tuju is seeking permission to appeal a ruling delivered by Joyce Mongare of the High Court of Kenya.
The ruling allowed enforcement actions against him in connection with a long-running financial dispute.
The case stems from a protracted battle between Tuju and the East African Development Bank over a multi-billion shilling debt linked to properties associated with his company.
Tuju has argued that the enforcement process surrounding the disputed properties has been irregular and has previously claimed that powerful interests are attempting to take over his assets.
The former minister has also publicly complained about intimidation and alleged state involvement in the dispute, claims that have heightened political attention around the case.
By Monday morning, Tuju’s lawyers said they were still waiting for clarification from the judiciary registry regarding the disappearance of the application from the cause list and when the matter might be heard.
