(Ecofin Agency) - Mobile operator Safaricom submitted an emergency request to the Supreme Court of Kenya so as to block the acquisition of Telkom (Orange Kenya) by Helios Investment Partners. The reason that led to this action is the 639.8 million Kenyan shilling that Orange’s Kenyan subsidiary owes the subsidiary of British telecom group Vodafone.

According to Stephen Kiptinness, Safaricom’s lawyer, Telkom was initially supposed to pay 760,063,934 shillings ($7,448,626) to the firm. However, only 120,273,771 shillings (1,178,682 dollars) were reimbursed. In sight of this and of the fact that if Helios successfully proceeds to the acquisition, Safaricom would not be reimbursed, the lawyer suggested that justice temporarily puts Telkom’s sale on hold until it provides a guarantee for the reimbursement.

The investment firm Helios Investment Partner has already signed an agreement with Orange to obtain all of its 70% shares in Telkom Kenya. This was disclosed in an official release dated November 9, 2015. However, the amount as well as the conditions of the transaction are yet to be revealed.