A judicial hammer has fallen on the Kericho County executive, halting a critical administrative appointment. The Employment and Labour Relations Court has slammed the brakes on the recruitment of a new County Secretary, plunging Governor Eric Mutai’s administration into a fresh legal crisis.

The vacancy at the heart of the county's civil service will remain unfilled for the foreseeable future. Justice James Rika has issued a stern directive suspending the approval and appointment of any candidate until a petition challenging the entire process is heard. This ruling is a significant blow to the county's operational efficiency, leaving the bureaucracy rudderless at the top. The court's intervention underscores the growing scrutiny on how devolved units handle powerful appointments.

The Anatomy of the Petition

The legal challenge was mounted by Ngetich Kiplangat Gideon, a vigilant resident who smelled a rat in the recruitment panel's composition. His petition reads like a charge sheet against procedural incompetence and alleged cronyism. The core of his argument is that the panel was "unlawfully constituted," lacking the legal and ethical standing to interview candidates for such a high-profile job.

The specific allegations are damning:

• Questionable Credentials: One panelist is accused of masquerading as a private sector representative while having deep ties to the National Labour Board, a clear conflict of interest.
• Professional misconduct: Another member allegedly has unresolved disciplinary issues and is not a paid-up member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK).
• Lack of Clearance: A third member reportedly sat on the panel without the mandatory clearance from the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), rendering their participation null and void.

Governor Mutai on the Defense

Governor Eric Mutai, alongside the County Attorney and the County Assembly Speaker, finds himself listed as a respondent in a case that questions his administration's adherence to the rule of law. The court has set a mention date for March 13, 2026, giving the respondents time to prepare their defense. Until then, the office of the County Secretary remains a "no-go zone."

For the people of Kericho, this legal tussle is more than just courtroom drama; it is a delay in service delivery. As the lawyers sharpen their arguments, the files on the County Secretary's desk continue to gather dust, waiting for a signature that may not come anytime soon.