Nakuru County Assembly Speaker Joel Karuri Maina risks contempt of court charges after disobeying High Court orders that halted the vetting of 21 chief officers.
Following a petition by Michael Oduor, Employment and Labour Relations Court Judge David Nderitu issued orders on Friday halting the vetting and/or approval of the nominees
The court ordered that the process be halted pending the outcome of the lawsuit challenging their nomination.
On Monday, however, the assembly continued to vet the nominees in defiance of the court orders.
Mr. Oduor, through his lawyer Allan Kibet, names Governor Kihika, the Speaker, and the County Public Service Board as respondents in the suit.
On Friday, the Court issued orders prohibiting the interviews. “Pending the hearing of this application inter-parties, or such further or other orders of this court, the County Assembly of Nakuru, through the third respondent [Speaker], is restrained from considering, approving, or vetting the listed Chief Officers named by the Clerk, to the said County Assembly,” said the court.
The court also issued orders prohibiting the nominee from taking office or performing any work that holders of the respective offices should perform.
