Employment and Labor Court in Meru has dismissed a petition filed by the Sakuye Community from Marsabit challenging the nomination of Chief Officers in the county.
The Sakuye community had filed a petition number E001 of 2023 at the Employment and Labour Court in Meru claiming they were not considered in the nominations as a minority group.
Dismissing the petition, the court said the petitioners did not exhaust the administrative process where their concerns could have been considered before going to court.
The order stopping the vetting exercise initially issued by the same court was vacated and the Assembly can now proceed to vet the nominees.
The county was represented in court by the County Attorney Flevia Gekone assisted by John Behailu.
Marsabit Governor Mohamud Ali in January nominated 24 county chief officers who were to be presented to the county assembly for vetting and approval.
Out of 101 applicants who were interviewed 72 candidates were presented to the governor for consideration.
The county boss said his office carefully considered the suitability of the recommended candidate keeping in mind their qualifications and affirmative action saying those nominated for the positions were not his political cronies but competent individuals.
The nominees included the former director of Public Participation Orge Guyo Baji (Food security and crop), Kula Phabbi (Fisheries Development), Qabale Adhi Bulbul (Education), Guyatu Wakala (Skills development and vocational training), Samuela Lolokuru (Culture, gender, and social services), Pauline Marheni (Natural resources and wildlife) and Gender Anamaria Qalla Denge (Public works).
Four of the 19 previous chief officers were retained by the governor.
They include Mohamed Tache (ICT, communications, and results delivery), Rikoi Hitler (Transport and roads), and Tache Elema (Partner coordination) among others.
Former deputy county secretary Wolde Weisa was nominated chief officer of revenue and resource mobilization while former North-Horr subcounty administrator Roba Qotto got CCO for public service and devolved units.
Two pioneer chief officers Arero Halkano and Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail were nominated for Livestock and veterinary services and Environment respectively.
In the finance docket, Governor Mohamud nominated Boru Duba Dulacha for Finance and Ahmed Intallo Yussuf for Economic planning and budget.
Others are Alamin Adan (medical health services), and Omar Boko Mohamed (public health services).