A Nairobi court has directed contempt of court proceedings against Sarrai Group officials to be handled by a different judge.
On Thursday, Justice Alfred Mabeya said the file should be taken to Justice Josephine Mungare.
In the case, Ugandan company Sarrai Group was found in contempt of court after continuing operations at Mumias Sugar even though the court had barred them from doing so.
Judge Mabeya noted that he was not the judge who issued the contempt ruling as such he was not conversant with the proceedings.
"I cannot handle this matter. I, therefore, direct (Justice) Josephine Mungare to issue a sentence on June 15, to show cause why the accused should not be imprisoned," the judge said
Lawyer Gitau Muigai for Sarrai told the court that his clients paid the fine and that they were in court to show cause why they should not be jailed for six months.
"The accused are still at liberty to clear their name in the midst of sentencing," Muigai said.
The court was told that Sarrai continued to operate at the firm two weeks after the court orders were issued barring them from operating.
Lawyer John Khaminwa said Sarrai is in contempt of two directives one of July 2022 and April 2023.
Sarrai Group Limited, Sarbjit Singh Rai, and Stephen Kihumba were found in contempt of court orders issued on July 28, 2022, regarding the Mumias Sugar lease case.
High Court judge Donna Chepkwony who is now on transfer ordered them to pay Sh100, 000 or serve six months in jail.
“Sarbjit Singh Rai, Rakesh Kumar and Stephen Kihumba must appear before the presiding judge on May 18 , 2023, to show cause why they should not be committed to civil jail for six (6) months,” the judge ruled.