Judge puts Kisii Member of County Assembly to task

 

Kisii MCA Tabitha Okongo in Nakuru Court yesterday 08-06-2015.She was summoned for raising complaint against Nakuru judge after issuing orders reinstating two suspended assembly officials in cases filed in Kisumu. PHOTO:BONIFACE THUKU/STANDARD]

A member of the Kisii County Assembly was yesterday put to task over allegations of bias she made against a Nakuru Employment and Labour Relations court.

Through a letter, dated May 20 and addressed to Nakuru Resident Judge Maureen Odero, the MCA, Tabitha Okongo (pictured), raised a complaint against judge Stephen Radido after he issued orders reinstating two Kisii County Assembly employees pending a suit challenging their suspension.

Ms Okongo had demanded that Radido disqualifies himself from the suit and the files be transferred to Kisumu accusing him of issuing the orders irregularly and failing to "discharge his judicial mandate".

PROVE CLAIMS

Judge Radido then summoned the MCA to appear before him yesterday where she was required to substantiate her claims.

She said reinstating Clerk James Omariba Nyaoga and Director of Finance Joseph Amenya in cases initially filed at Kisumu and transferred to Nakuru, was strange.

"A few days to implementation of their sacking, the two came with orders that they have been reinstated by a Nakuru judge. It was strange since the cases bypassed a similar court in Kericho," the MCA said.

She continued: "They bragged that the assembly could do nothing and have even gone ahead to threaten me after I raised the concern. I have however, reported the matter to the Kisii Police station". The MCA however, appeared to have had a change of mind, saying now that she had seen the judge, she was optimistic he would "dispense judgement fairly".