This archive report was first published on 23 October 2019.
On October 14, 2019, Mary Wambui was appointed as the National Employment Authority chairperson through a Gazette notice. However, her appointment has been met with opposition, with the Kenya Young Parliamentarians Association petitioning the court to declare it unconstitutional.
The association argued that Wambui does not possess the necessary qualifications to hold the position, citing her limited educational background. They also alleged that she does not hold any of the qualifications or their equivalent as required by the National Employment Authority Act.
Labour Court Judge Hellen Wasilwa has since suspended Wambui's appointment, pending the hearing and determination of the case. This decision is a blow to Wambui's appointment, which has been criticized by several lawmakers, including Nairobi County Senator Johnson Sakaja.
Sakaja, who is one of the lawmakers behind the Bill that brought the authority into existence, has lamented how Wambui failed to meet the basic requirement. He argued that many young Kenyans who have distinguished themselves in the industry, even to the level of the International Labour Organization, are better qualified.
