Court quashes Karega Mutahi panel's mandate over TSC chair

Justice Isaac Lenaola. He declined to give the orders sought and instead directed the counsel to amend the application giving specifics to their allegations. FILE PHOTO |

The High Court has quashed the mandate of the Karega Mutahi-led panel appointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta to interview and select nominees to chair the Teachers Service Commission.

A judgment written by Justice Isaac Lenaola nullified the Gazette notice that authorised the panel to forward names to the President for appointment, citing that he did not have the powers to set up the panel.

Instead, the court directed an initial panel set up by President Mwai Kibaki and led by Dr James Kamunge to quickly forward the names of persons whose names have never been rejected by the National Assembly.

The President should then appoint one person from this list apart from Kirachu wa Magechi, who has been rejected thrice by Parliament, the court ruled.

The judge also said that TSC services had been affected especially on matters concerning policy making and disciplinary issues, and, therefore, he said, the President should act quickly.