AG, CS summoned by court over deadly weed

The Ministry of Environment and Attorney General (AG) Githu Muigai have until Monday to explain to court why they have not complied with court orders directing them to eradicate a deadly weed, whose scientific name is prosopis juliflora, commonly known Mathenge.

This is after the Ministry failed to appear in court Friday saying that they are in the process of complying with the court orders.

Justice Isaac Lenaola had directed Environment Cabinet Secretary, Judy Wakhungu, and Attorney General Githu Muigai to appear in court to show cause why the government has not come up with a policy on how to permanently eradicated the deadly weed that is threatening human and animal lives in Baringo County.

Lenaola directed that the report be served on the Ilchamus community and the court before the close of business Friday, August 19.

In the case, Baringo residents led by their spokesman, Gerald Lepariyo, say that the highly invasive plant is not only poisonous but also hazardous to their livestock in five locations where it was introduced in the area 20 years ago to stop the spread of deserts.

The community says that if the government will not take action, then they will be forced to file a contempt of court against the government.

According to the petition, the weed is poisonous and impairs the limbs of mammals. Herders say the seeds of the plant stick in the gums of their animals, eventually causing their teeth to fall out.

The judgment requiring the government to act was delivered on December 11, 2007 but has never been implemented.

The Attorney General, the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Baringo County Government have been named as defendants in the case.