Members of the Kericho County Executive Committee (CEC) have been sworn in despite a court order suspending the process.
The Cabinet appointees took oath of office on November 2 the same day a court injunction was issued pending the hearing and determination of a petition filed by Rono Kibet Benard.
In his suit, Mr Kibet argues that the list of nominees was unlawful as the nomination and vetting processes were not carried out within the law.
He told the court that neither the County Gazette nor the Kenya Gazette had published a list of the members of the selection panel.
Read: Kericho Governor Chepkwony To Take Breather from Politics at the End of Tenure
Additionally, he claimed that the list does not include a person with a disability, and does not adequately reflect the diversity of the Kericho population because it ignores minority and underrepresented groups.
The majority of the nominees are public officers, which is against the qualifications listed in the job posting, and some have a variety of unresolved integrity issues, court documents show.
“The recruitment exercise was carried out in contravention of the Constitution with total lack of transparency and was discriminatory against other Kenyans who are qualified to apply and compete for the said appointment positions,” he added.
Kericho Governor Eric Mutai, the county government, the county assembly and the assembly Speaker were listed as respondents.
Read Also: CS Keter Eyeing Kericho Governor’s Seat on UDA Ticket
The 10 CEC members and the county attorney are interested parties.
The petitioner wants the court to revoke the appointment of the CECs and county attorney.
In a court order issued last week, the assembly Speaker was temporarily prohibited from vetting and swearing in the CECs until the matter was heard and determined.
On Wednesday, the court heard that the CECs had been sworn in despite being served with the court order.
Justice David Nderitu extended the orders and allowed Mr Kibet to file and serve documents before the case is heard on January 23, 2023.
1 thought on “Kericho CECs Sworn in Despite Court Order Suspending Process”