Ex-Governor Ndiritu faces 6 months imprisonment for refusing to reinstate sacked doctors

Former Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi and 13 other ex-county employees have been found guilty of contempt of court in a case where they're accused of disregarding court orders to reinstate sacked doctors.

The 13 others include; Karanja Njora, Boniface Murungi Ndai, Paul Njenga Waweru, Rose Maitai, Dr. Donald Mogoi, Shadrack M’ituuru, Margaret Mwago, Timothy Wamiti, Christina Kibet, Eng. John Aruma, Benson Sururu, Patricia Wangui, and Moses Wanyoike.

Nyeri Employment and Labour Relations Court Judge D.K Njagi Marete hence ordered Muriithi and his co-accused to appear for sentencing on October 13, 2022 in open court where they each face up to 6 months in jail for disobedience of court orders.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) on August 12, 2020 issued its ruling to an appeal lodged by the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) directing that then Governor Muriithi and Laikipia County Public Service Board reinstate the doctors.

The PSC held that the doctors were illegally terminated and were hence entitled to all withheld remuneration and benefits up to and including the date that they shall be reinstate.

The Nyeri Employment and Labour Relations Court on October 19, 2020 proceeded to adopt the PSC ruling and ordered that it be complied with.

However, the Laikipia County Executives, the Governor as well as the County Public Service Board completely disregarded the court orders.

Newly elected Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu on September 1, 2022 signed a return-to-work agreement with KMPDU that allowed 33 doctors fired 40 months ago by the administration of former Governor Muriithi to resume work immediately.

The agreement was signed on behalf of the devolved unit by Governor Irungu, and on behalf of the doctors by KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah.

Governor Irungu stated that the county and the union had reached an out-of-court settlement in which the sacked medics would be paid salary arrears for the next 27 months.