Court Orders Reinstatement of Interdicted IEBC Deputy CEO Ruth Kulundu

The Employment and Labor Relations court has ordered the reinstatement of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Deputy CEO Ruth Kulundu.

On Thursday, Justice Linnet Ndolo ruled that Kulundu was wrongfully interdicted by IEBC CEO Hussein Marjan, who was found to have breached IEBC’s human resource manual by acting as the judge, the jury and the executioner.

“In the light of this, the verdict that the disciplinary process initiated against the petitioner was unlawful and that she would suffer irreparable harm if it is allowed to continue the balance of convenience tilts in the petitioner’s favor,” the court ruled.

Marjan suspended Kulundu in September last year on allegations of gross misconduct, insubordination and participation in illegal activities, contrary to her employment terms of service.

He also accused her of impersonation and arranging an illegal commission plenary meeting without approval.

It is during the plenary meeting that the four IEBC commissioners who disputed the 2022 presidential election results picked law firms that would represent the commission in the consolidated presidential election petition filed by Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition presidential candidate Raila Odinga.

Marjan claimed Kulundu impersonated him and usurped his responsibilities by performing duties bestowed on the CEO’s office.

Kulundu was also accused of issuing IEBC members of staff with threats and intimidation, contrary to IEBC regulations and rules of conduct.