Impeached Kakamega County Board Members Reinstated by Court
The Employment and Labour Relations court reinstated four members of the county public service board on Thursday, overturning their impeachment by the county assembly.
Judge Jemimah Keli ordered the immediate reinstatement of Catherine Omweno (Chairperson) along with members Stanley Were, Ralph Wangatiah, and Joel Omukoko.
Additionally, each of the four board members was awarded Sh 1 million in damages plus the cost of the suit.
The four individuals took their case to court, challenging the impeachment by the county assembly on November 14.
Judge Keli found fault with the impeachment process, stating it violated the rights of the impeached members.
She noted that even ward representatives who were not part of the County Assembly Public Service and Administration had signed the impeachment report.
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Keli emphasized that the impeachment notice failed to meet legal requirements.
She highlighted that the grounds for impeachment outlined in Article 251 of the Constitution were not sufficiently established.
She declared the assembly’s actions as functus officio, indicating that no further action could be taken.
The judge invalidated the dismissal letters issued to the four members, citing violations of the constitution and unlawful expedited proceedings.
She issued an order preventing Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, the county assembly, and the county of Kakamega from removing the four from office.
However, Barasa’s lawyer, Patrick Lutta, sought stay orders to prevent the reinstated members from resuming office, intending to appeal the court’s decision.
The impeachment of the four members stemmed from a petition filed by resident Dennis Muhanda, alleging serious constitutional violations, breaches of Chapter 6 of the constitution, statutory law violations, abuse of office, gross misconduct, conflicts of interest, and incompetence among the board members.
Impeached Kakamega County Board Members Reinstated by Court