Governor Awiti barred from sacking public service board members

The county government of Homa Bay has been barred from sacking members of the County Public Service Board.

The Employment and Labour Relations Court sitting in Kisumu has restrained the county government from relieving the board members namely Daniel Ogada (chairman), Collins Odhiambo (secretary) and Tobias Odundo (member) of their duties.

Justice Mathews Nduma Nderi has issued an order, allowing the officials to continue discharging their duties until the petition is concluded.

The petition was filed by the three board members to challenge a recommendation by the area MCAs that they be sent home over misconduct in hiring of 165 county workers instead of 143 as advertised.

The trio filed the petition against the county assembly, the county government and Governor Cyprian Awiti as the third respondent, arguing that recruitment of the additional workers was done following official instructions they got from the county Secretary Isaiah Ogwe and health Chief Officer Gerald Akeche.

In delivering the ruling on Wednesday, Justice Nderi barred implementation of a report compiled by the county assembly committee on Administration and Security that recommended the sacking.

“Pending hearing and determination of this application, a conservatory order is hereby issued,” Justice Nderi ruled.