Kakamega board members expelled to learn fate on February 29th

The Kakamega Employment and Labor Relations Tribunal is scheduled to rule on February 29 on whether the replacement of the fired Kakamega County Civil Service Commission will proceed.

Board: Catherine Omweno (Chairman) and members Stanley Ware, Ralph Wangatia and Joel Omukoko were impeached by the County Assembly on December 14 last year for gross misconduct.

He was charged with violating Chapter VI of the Constitution, violating laws and regulations, abuse of power, conflict of interest, and incompetence.

He is also suspected of hiring people with questionable educational backgrounds and hiring 400 revenue administrative staff and 74 revenue staff without cabinet approval.

Addressing the matter on Friday, Justice Jemima Keri said various applications by the four board members who objected to the impeachment would be filed that day.

“Now that all parties have completed their submissions, I intend to issue a judgment on the 29th of this month,” Judge Keri said.

Dennis Muhanda, one of the proponents of the impeachment motion, filed a response containing preliminary objections to both the motion and the petition.

Vice-chairman Ambrose Subai and member Sylvia Otunga survived the removal and are listed as parties of interest in the case.

Judge Keri earlier extended an order barring Governor Fernández Barraza from removing board members pending a ruling on the matter and ordered the governor to appear on February 9 to address the matter. He gave instructions to the people concerned.

The four expelled members obtained the order from Kisumu Labor Court Judge Stephen Ladid after suing the county government, Governor Barasa, the county council and the county commissioner on an emergency certificate alleging unfair dismissal.

They said their dismissal was due to advertisements for their replacements appearing in newspapers hours after the MCA impeached them in a meeting that ended at 8pm on December 14 last year, among other grounds to protect jobs. claimed that it was planned.

The Dec. 15 ad was later canceled by the county with a Dec. 16 ad.

“Governor Fernandez Barraza and the County Clerk claimed that they would advertise their position in the local paper on December 15th after receiving the said resolution before the petitioner (board) was notified; It took place at 10:30 pm on the 14th,” they claimed.

The four also challenged the removal, arguing that the process was illegal.

“The second defendant (County Assembly) secretly and illegally held illegal and irregular sittings, meetings and proceedings on December 14, contrary to the requirements of Article 251 of the Constitution, and deposed the chairman and members of the board of directors. , to recommend and to dismiss,” they said. says in court documents.