High Court suspends gazette notice declaring Kisii DG position vacant

The High Court has suspended the publication of a notice declaring the position of Kisii County Deputy Governor vacant following Dr. Robert Monda's impeachment last week by the Senate.

This comes after Jared Mairura Ratemo filed a petition against the Senate before the Machakos High Court on Wednesday.

While delivering the verdict in the matter certified as urgent, Justice Olei Francis Rayola ruled that the suspension will remain in effect until the matter is heard by the Milimani Commercial Court in April.

"The court notes that the issues raised in this petition touch on matters which occurred in the Senate and by extension Kisii County Assembly and it would be inappropriate to have this matter heard at Machakos High court," ruled Justice Rayola.

"This matter be mentioned before Justice Eric Ogola at the Milimani Commercial court on April 10, 2024. In order to preserve the status quo and allow the petitioner ventilate issues raised in this petition, no gazettement is to be issued declaring the seat of DG-Kisii County vacant until the next mention date."  

The judge similarly directed Ratemo to officially deliver the petition to the Senate within the next three days, adding that the Upper House will have seven days to submit a response on the same.

The development comes just hours after Kisii Governor Simba Arati nominated the devolved unit's Public Service Board Chairman Elijah Obebo as his deputy.

The announcement was made by Kisii County Assembly Speaker Philip Nyanumba on Wednesday, pending approval by the House.

"Honourable members, I am pleased to inform this House that I have received communication from His Excellency, the Governor of Kisii County, Paul Simba Arati, on the nominee for the position of deputy governor. Pending approval by the House, he has nominated Mr. Elijah Obebo to the position," Nyanumba said.