Phillip Kandie’s career at KeRRA seems to be ending after the Employment and Labour Relations Court overturned a ruling delivered by the Court of Appeal in a historic ruling that’s has nailed his Ouster.
In the Judicial Review Application No. E103 of 2023, Judge Justice James Rika in his historic ruling quashed a Gazette Notice No. 4309 dated 13th April 2022 and hence nullifying the appointment Kandie as the Director General of Kenya Rural Roads Authority.
The Judgement came after the case was filed in court by Samson Nzivo Muthaini, a concerned citizen who felt that some section of the constitution has been violated in relation to his appointment
Prior to the ruling, the parties had been dissatisfied and appealed the decision at the Court of Appeal in two different applications, which included;
Civil Application No E240 of 2023 and E238 of 2023, filed by different parties but on the same matter.
A third appeal had been made at the same Employment and Labour Relations Court under Judicial Review Application No. E103 of 2022.
At the Court of Appeal, a bench of three judges delivered their ruling on 12th June 2023 and had was composed of; Justice Omondi, Mativo and Ngenye, JJ.
A, under Application No E240 of 2023, the court did not grant any stay orders and set a ruling on the appeal for 22nd September 2023.
The same verdict was upheld by the same bench under Application No E238 of 2023, and delivered on 19th June 2023, who ordered the parties to adhere to the earlier ruling by the court.
However in a land mark ruling by the Employment and Labour Relations, on 14th June 2023, the Judge Justice Nzioka wa Makau overruled the decision of the the Court of Appeal under Judicial Review Application No E103 of 2022 and granted limited remit (Temporary stay orders) and set inter parties hearing for 26th June 2023.
This ruling has send shock waves amongst lawyers and the general public having set a precedent for a High Court to overturn the decision of the Appellate Court.
The big question arising from this matter is the interpretation of ruling on the “Stay Orders” granted by the two Courts! Will the litigants abide by the Stay Order granted by the High Court on 14th June 2023 or will they await the decision of the Court of Appeal delivered on 12th June 2023 setting a date of 22nd September 2023 to deliver a ruling after declining to issue any “Stay Orders”. Will the Respondent, Eng Philemon Kandie, continue to discharge his duties as per the High Court ruling or will he be locked out of the office for the duration between 31st May 2023 to 22nd September 2023 awaiting the decision of the Court of Appeal? What is the fate of all decisions, declarations and commitments made by Kandie between 31st May 2023 and 22nd September 2023 if the High Court Judge made a decision to extend the Stay Orders on 26th June 2023! What will be the bearing of this matter incase the Court of Appeal Application No E240 of 2023 upholds the decision of the High Court delivered by Justice James Rika on 31st May 2023 quashing the Gazette Notice No 4309 while the High Court in its Judicial Review No E103 of 2022 makes a Contrary decision upholding the Gazette Notice No 4309 of 13th April 2023?
It will be an interesting piece of literature and history in the making as the law professional and the officers of the court including the general public as they await the ruling of the High Court to be delivered on 26th June 2023 after the expiry of the limited “Stay Orders”.
