On December 6, 2019, the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Kisumu issued a restraining order against the Homa Bay county government, preventing them from sacking members of the County Public Service Board.
The court's decision was made in response to a petition filed by the board members, Daniel Ogada (chairman), Collins Odhiambo (secretary), and Tobias Odundo (member), who were facing possible dismissal over allegations of misconduct in hiring 165 county workers instead of the 143 advertised.
The board members argued that the recruitment of the additional workers was done following official instructions from the county Secretary Isaiah Ogwe and health Chief Officer Gerald Akeche.
Justice Mathews Nduma Nderi issued a conservatory order, allowing the officials to continue discharging their duties until the petition is concluded.
The order also bars the implementation of a report compiled by the county assembly committee on Administration and Security that recommended the sacking of the board members.
