Tension is high in Mitaboni, Kathiani Sub-county of Machakos county after residents moved to court to challenge the promotion of Lea Kalondu Ngutu to the position of Chief, accusing the Public Service Commission and Ministry of Interior of flouting merit-based recruitment standards by favoring a candidate with poor academic qualifications.
Ngutu, who previously served as an assistant chief for Ngiini Sub- location, has come under sharp scrutiny after it emerged that she scored a D- in her Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).
Her appointment has sparked public outrage, with residents arguing that more qualified candidates were overlooked without justification.
Among those snubbed is Francis Muindi Kimondiu, the acting chief and longtime assistant chief in the area, who reportedly holds a Division Two from the Kenya Certificate of Education (KCE).
According to residents, Kimondiu and others who applied for the position were academically and professionally more competent.
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The dissatisfaction boiled over into street demonstrations two weeks ago, as angry residents marched through Mitaboni town demanding fairness and transparency in the recruitment process.
The matter has now landed in court, where two residents, Stephen Nzomo Mutua and Anthony Ndonye Mutiso,have petitioned the Machakos Employment and Labour Relations Court, citing serious procedural irregularities in the appointment.
In their application, filed through Munguti Ngulukyo & Co. Advocates, the petitioners argue that the promotion was irregular, unlawful, and in violation of constitutional principles under Article 232, which requires appointments to be based on fairness, merit, and transparency.
Lady Justice Jemimah Wanza Keli, in her ruling dated July 18, 2025, declined to stop the appointment immediately but directed that the respondents,including the Ministry of Interior, Public Service Commission, and the Machakos County Commissioner,be served and respond within 14 days.
The court also scheduled the hearing for September 19, 2025, when both the petition and the application will be heard together.
By Agnes Orang’o
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