Nairobi High Court on Monday issued conservatory orders suspending immunity and privileges granted to Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation under the Privileges and Immunities Act in a Petition filed by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK).
The government, through Legal Notice No. 157, Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 181, had granted Gates’ foundation special privileges recognised as a charitable trust with special rights in Kenya.
The privileges allowed the Foundation to engage in contracts, legal actions, and property transactions within the country as well as legal immunity.
“Pending the inter parties hearing and determination of the Application dated 22/11/2024, a conservatory order be and is hereby issued suspending the Privileges and Immunities (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) Order, 2024 given and notified as Legal Notice No. 157 made on 19/09/2024 under the hand of the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, and published in the Special Issue of the Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 181 dated 04/10/2024,” read the High Court’s verdict in part.
