Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati has been dealt a blow after the Employment and Labour Relations court extended interim orders restraining the recently employed village administrators from assuming office.
On Wednesday, Justice Jemimah Keli ruled that the matter before it should be heard on January 25, 2022 to determine what will take place next.
The interim orders restrained the County Public Service Board and the County Government of Bungoma from deploying and remunerating the 236 village administrators until the matter in court is conclusively heard and determined.
Justice Jemimah Keli directed Bungoma County Attorney Cyril Wayong'o to ensure the orders are followed.
Wayong'o wants the matter withdrawn and the village administrators allowed to take up their roles as assigned.
In a ruling delivered on Wednesday when the issue came up for mention, Justice Keli said any county official who will pay village administrators their salaries will personally be liable.
The interested party, Barasa Kundu Nyukuri of Torch Africa Civil Society Organization, pointed out before the court that his investigations had uncovered 81 village administrators who were handpicked by the chairperson and secretary of the County Public Service Board.
He maintained that the illegalities and irregularities were massive and there is need to revoke the entire list of recruitment of village administrators in Bungoma county to allow a fresh process that is transparent and accountable to take place.
The petitioners and the interested parties have filed separate appeals to the Public Service Commission for determination.
Barasa also produced a letter before court signed by five of seven members of the CPSBB dated December 10 addressed to the chairman Jonathan Namulala and copied to the secretary/ CEO of the County Public Service Board.
The letter accused Joseph Makata, the secretary of the CPSB for unilaterally making decisions on behalf of the Board without consulting the rest of the members.
"Do not sacrifice innocent people by paying them any salary as they will be forced to return it to the county Treasury," said the judge.
Meanwhile, the County Public Service Board and the county government of Bungoma was told by the court to respect the appeal of the petitioners before the national Public Service Commission.
"You should not do anything that will put them in contempt of the court order and / or the National Public Service Commission decision," the Judge said.
