Court Halts Murang’a Public Service Board Recruitment, Compels Governor to Submit Shortlisted Nominee.
The Employment and Labour Relations Court sitting in Nairobi has issued a conservatory order compelling the Governor of Murang’a County to submit a name for vetting to the County Assembly for the position of Chairperson of the Murang’a County Public Service Board. The nominee must be selected from the list of candidates previously shortlisted by the designated Selection Panel. The directive follows a legal challenge filed by petitioner George Mogire under a certificate of urgency in a case registered as ELRCPET/E141/2025.
On July 17, 2025, Hon. Justice Mathews Nderi Nduma certified the application as urgent and granted interim orders aimed at safeguarding the integrity of the recruitment process. The petitioner had moved to court seeking to restrain the Murang’a County Government from discarding the shortlisted candidates and commencing a fresh recruitment process, which he alleged was an attempt to circumvent lawful procedures. In his application, Mogire argued that the Governor had failed to act on the recommendations of the Selection Panel and was preparing to initiate a parallel process outside the established framework.
The court ruled that pending the full hearing and determination of the matter, the Governor must forward a name from the existing shortlist to the County Assembly for vetting. Simultaneously, the court restrained both the County Executive and County Assembly from re-advertising the position or launching any new recruitment process to fill vacancies within the County Public Service Board. The respondents have been ordered to respond to the petition within three days of service, and the matter is scheduled for inter partes hearing on July 23, 2025. The court also issued a penal notice, warning that any failure to comply with its orders would result in legal consequences for those found in contempt.
The Murang’a County Public Service Board plays a critical role in overseeing human resource functions within the county government, including recruitment, discipline, and promotion of staff. Its leadership is therefore central to ensuring adherence to professional standards and public accountability. The petitioner contends that interfering with the integrity of its appointments undermines public trust and violates the principles of merit, transparency, and good governance outlined in the Constitution and the County Governments Act.
Legal analysts have noted that the court’s intervention reflects a growing trend of judicial oversight over county-level appointments, particularly in instances where executive action is alleged to be irregular or politically influenced. In this case, the petitioner maintains that the Governor’s alleged inaction and attempt to restart the recruitment process without lawful justification amounts to abuse of office and disregard for the principles of fair administrative action. The matter has sparked public debate in Murang’a County, with some residents and civil society groups expressing concern over the increasing politicization of appointments to independent boards.
By compelling adherence to the original shortlist, the court appears to be reinforcing the legal requirement that appointments to public offices be grounded in merit and structured procedure, rather than discretionary or partisan considerations. The case is expected to test the boundaries of gubernatorial discretion in public appointments and may set an important legal precedent for similar disputes in other counties. Observers will be watching closely when the matter returns to court for a full hearing on July 23, 2025.
The orders issued by Justice Nduma remain in effect unless set aside or varied upon full argument, and all parties have been duly notified of the penal consequences for non-compliance. For now, the recruitment process for the Chairperson of the Murang’a County Public Service Board stands frozen, and the Governor is legally compelled to act within the confines of the initial selection process as prescribed by law.
