This archive report was first published on 20 September 2019.
Siaya County Health Executive Dorothy Owino has been granted conservatory orders by the High Court, allowing her to continue serving in her position until a petition challenging her dismissal is heard and determined.
High Court Judge Roselyn Aburuli made the directive during a mention of the case filed under a certificate of urgency on Thursday.
The conservatory orders, which were initially issued by Justice Fred Ochieng on August 19, will remain in force until the petition filed by Owino at the High Court in Kisumu last month is determined.
"I have directed that the existing order of the High Court in Kisumu be extended," Justice Aburuli said.
The judge further directed the respondents, including the Siaya county government, Governor Cornell Rasanga, and the county assembly, to file and serve their responses within 14 days.
Owino will have the right to file further affidavit together with written submissions within 10 days from the date she is served with the responses.
The parties in the suit have been directed to report back to court on November 20 for the hearing of the petition.
The Siaya county assembly had passed a resolution on August 6, asking Governor Rasanga to immediately dismiss Owino over accusations of gross misconduct and violation of the Constitution.
The county representatives had adopted a report by a five-member select committee, which indicated that the allegations against Owino had been substantiated and recommended her dismissal.
On August 15, the Speaker of the Assembly wrote to the governor, informing him of the resolution for the dismissal of the CEC, paving the way for the appointment of a new county minister for the Health services docket.
