Bomet County Governor Hillary Barchok has been given go-ahead to form his cabinet after the Employment and Labour Relations Court granted a reprieve in response to the withdrawal of a petition challenging the appointment of several officials.
The court allowed Barchok, who is serving his final term in office, to nominate and swear in 12 of his cabinet members after they were vetted and approved by the county legislature.
The main petition, however, which challenges the nominations on the basis of gender, regional balance, and disability, will still be heard in court.
Collins Sang and Dancun Kiprono, the petitioner’s lawyers, notified Justice David Nderitu that they wished to withdraw the motion they had filed on December 6 requesting for conservatory orders regarding the appointment and swearing-in of the 12 officers.
Last Monday, Justice Nderitu granted provisional injunction prohibiting the county from swearing in the policemen until the lawsuit was heard and determined.
Mustafa Otieno Ochieng, the petitioner, stated that he brought the matter to court because of the skewed nomination, the right to inclusion, non-ethnic marginalization, and non-discrimination.
Ochieng said that the nominees were all members of the Kipsigis/Kalenjin community, which he believed was detrimental to the community.
