Court bars Rerec directors from office
The High Court in Milimani Nairobi yesterday suspended the decision of President Kenyatta to appoint Wacuka Ikua as the chairperson of the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation’s (Rerec) board of directors.
Justice Hedwig Ong’undi also suspended the appointment of seven members of the board by Energy Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma.
The judge issued the temporary order following a suit filed by David Simiyu, who claims the appointments breached the law over lack of competition and transparency.
Other than Ikua, the Board members affected by the court order include Brig. Hassan Sora, Rhoda Njuguna, Wahome Gitonga, Mary Mwiti, Eva Sawe, Samuel Mugo Kimani and John Karamunya Limakamar.
Presidential appointment
Ikua was appointed by President Kenyatta through a gazette notice dated April 14, 2022 while the other members were appointed by the Energy CS in May and August. They were hired to serve for a period of three years, according to the separate gazette notices.
The interim court order, which bars them from continuing to discharge their mandate, will remain in force until September 19, 2022 when the case will be mentioned for further directions.
The judge also transferred the case to the Employment and Labour Relations Court for hearing and directed that the Cabinet Secretary and the Attorney General should file their responses within 21 days.
“For avoidance of doubt, Ikua, Sora, Njuguna, Gitonga, Mwiti, Sawe, Kimani and Limakamar be restrained from discharging the functions of Rerec Board of Directors or otherwise undertaking any functions or duties as board members thereof until this application is heard and determined,” the order indicates.
