Another group seeks to block county team

By ALI ABDI

A second group of Isiolo residents has moved to the court to block the County Executive and Public Service Board from assuming office.

Four Borana and a Meru elder sought an injunction under certificate of urgency at the High Court in Meru yesterday saying the Constitution was contravened when the appointments were done.

Tache Bonsa, Jarso Halkano, Abdi Jillo , Jarso Mokku and Bernard Mworaria, through Mokua Obiria and Company Advocates want the court to grant them an injunction to stop seven County Executive and six Public Service Board members from assuming office.

Through their lawyer Charles Mukua, the five want the court to order the County government to conduct fresh recruitment of officers at the two categories.

They also support the petitioners from the Meru and Turkana communities arguing that the current County line-up discriminated against them.

They cite experience and academic qualification of the appointees as not corresponding to their portfolios and the county nominating all the required seven executive positions while the assembly is not fully constituted.

At the same time, members of Turkana and Meru have, for the second time moved to the same court to seek reversal of those appointed to serve in the county government.

Lady Justice Jessie Lesiit will hear the two applications today.

The County government, whose respondents are listed as Governor Godana Doyo, Speaker Mohammed Tubi, Interim Assembly Clerk Mohammed Halake and the Attorney General are represented by two layers from Mbaabu M’Inoti and Company advocates.

The earlier application by members of the Turkana and Meru communities mentioned on Wednesday will be heard on June 18 where the four respondents have been summoned to attend.

The petitioners are Joseph Kalapata, Silas Eudan and Amos Lechwa for the Turkana and Luke Mithika, Monica Gikunda and Amos Mangy for the Meru.

They are basing their case on Contravention of Fundamental Rights and Freedom under Article 27 and Enforcement of Bill of Rights under Articles 22, 23 and 165 of the Constitution. The 13 officers were vetted on Tuesday and sworn into office a day later.