Reprieve for civil servants eyeing elective posts

By Eric Biegon

Employment and Labour Relations Court in Kericho has extended the deadline for resignation of civil servants seeking elective posts to 27th February.

In his determination Tuesday morning, Judge Njagi Marete barred the electoral commission from disqualifying affected persons for not relinquishing their positions by last week’s deadline until he delivers a ruling by the end of this month.

The labour relations court was expected to make a ruling on whether civil servants planning to vie for political posts should resign six months before a General Election.

The law that required civil servants to resign by February 7 but was challenged in court was pitting the IEBC, the Attorney General as well as the Public Service Commission on one hand and a petitioner from Kipkelion in Kericho Eric Cheruiyot.

The judge extended the deadline to least 27th of February when he will make a ruling on the matter.

The labor relations judge further dismissed an application by the respondents that the court has no jurisdiction to hear the case.

In the meantime, a section of leaders from Embu who defected from the Jubilee party are fighting off claims that they are working with the opposition.

Led by Embu senator Lenny Kivuti the leaders insist they are fully behind President Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election bid even though they will vie for various seats through different political outfits.