This archive report was first published on 10 July 2020.
On January 31, a court issued a ruling that prohibited the transfer of Dr. Hezekiah Chepkwony and Dr. Pius Wanjala from the National Quality Control Laboratory (NQCL) without following due process. However, Health CS Mutahi Kagwe went ahead to transfer the two officers, sparking a contempt of court case against him.
According to the court, CS Kagwe's actions were in direct violation of the January 31 ruling. The court had declared the transfer letters invalid, giving Dr. Wanjala the green light to sue the CS for contempt of court.
Dr. Chepkwony and Dr. Wanjala were initially accused of failing to develop and implement a disciplinary policy/code of conduct and conflict of interest, respectively. They were also accused of resisting transfers from NQCL and Dr. Wanjala was accused of engaging in private business while receiving a salary as a public officer.
The issues date back to 2019 when former Health CS Sicily Kariuki ordered the removal of Dr. Chepkwony and his two deputies and sacked the board. The matter ended up in court, and saw the reinstatement of Dr. Chepkwony and his two deputies in January 2020.
CS Kagwe has been summoned to appear before the court on July 23 for sentencing, either virtually or through his lawyer.
