The High Court has issued orders halting a government directive to have some 67 police officers suspended for allegedly receiving bribes and other malpractices.
Head of Public Service Felix Koskei on Thursday last week directed Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome to suspend the officers on the recommendation of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.
But the officers have since moved to court to have the directive suspended citing violations of disciplinary procedures as outlined in the National Police Service Act.
Through lawyer Danstan Omari, they sought orders to suspend Koskei's directive saying it would also violate their right to fair administrative action as they were not even apprised of the decision to suspend them.
Justice Chacha Mwita, having read the application, granted the orders.
"A conservatory order is hereby issued restraining the respondents from implementing the directive communicated through the letter dated November 10 by the first respondent recommending the suspension of the interested parties until further orders of this court," Justice Mwita said in the orders dated November 20.
EACC is listed as the first respondent while Koskei is the second respondent.
Also sued are the Attorney General, Police IG, National Police Service Commission, Publis Service Commission and Interior CS among others.
The court directed the matter to be heard on November 23 for further directions.
In a letter dated November 10, EACC chief executive officer Twalib Mbarak said the officers were arrested for receiving bribes and related malpractices.
"Section 42(7) of the Leadership and Integrity Act provides that; Subject to the Constitution and any regulation for enforcement of the Code of Conduct, a State/public officer may be suspended from office pending the investigation and determination of allegations made against the state/public officer where such suspension is considered necessary," Mbarak said.
All the 67 officers are listed as interested parties.
