Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo may be charged for contemning court orders after he allegedly refused to withdraw the demotion of staff accused of getting illegitimate promotions.
Four out of the 1,500 employees moved to the Labour Relations and Employment Court in Kisumu to compel it to charge the governor for not readmitting them to their former job groups.
They are public participation director Dan Onyancha, payroll manager Lewis Oburu, department of public service management director Douglas Osoro and county chief planner Lamech Machuki.
The employees had also sought protection from the unfair demotion and deduction of salaries and allowances. They had petitioned the court to order their reinstatement, but the county has yet to enforce the orders.
Citing their case before Justice Christine Baari, the petitioners, in their affidavits, had sworn that the governor acted on powers not bestowed on him constitutionally to discipline them.
They had also said they were not subjected to fair administrative actions as enshrined in the labour laws.
In the contempt suit, the petitioners asked the court to grant them an order of committal against Nyaribo, county secretary James Ntabo, finance executive Emily Ongaga, public service board chairman Peter Kereri, HRM director Godfrey Kiriago, payroll manager Elmelda Nyaberi, whom they accused of disobeying earlier orders.
“The actions of the first and second respondent have violated the petitioners' legal and constitutional rights to be heard and offered fair administrative action, which requires an employee not to alter terms of employment to the detriment of the employee unless the law is upheld,” the petition reads.
“It is hereby ordered that this court grant leaves to the petitioners to commence contempt proceedings against the county government, governor, and the PSB.”
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
