CS Phyllis Kandie barred from reinstating NSSF official

Suspended National Social Security Fund Managing Trustee Richard Langat. (Photo: File/Standard)

The Labour ministry was Tuesday barred from allowing a suspended National Social Security Fund (NSSF) official to resume office.

Justice Monicah Mbaru issued temporary orders stopping Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie from allowing Richard Langat, Gideon Kyengo and Mutemi Nzatu back into office pending the hearing of the matter on March 10.

Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu), through lawyer Samuel Aduda, moved to court claiming that Kandie and the Attorney General had violated the law by allowing Mr Langat to resume office as a managing trustee.

Cotu said Langat had been allowed to resume office yet the NSSF board had already appointed an acting managing trustee. "It is the board of trustees of NSSF which is mandated to appoint the managing trustees," said Mr Aduda.

The organisation said Kandie's role is restricted to appointment of board members only and once appointed that board is independent and is only answerable to members of the fund.

Langat was compelled to step aside following allegations of corruption and the matter is yet to be resolved. Cotu wants the former officials charged for allegedly approving the Tassia II project irregularly.