Blow to Aisha Jumwa as Court Quashes Her Appointment as Kenya Roads Board Chair

The High Court has quashed the appointment of former Gender Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa as the chairperson of the Kenya Roads Board.

Justice Bahati Mwamuye ruled that the appointment violated the law and was not in the public interest.

The court further held that the process did not comply with legal requirements governing such appointments.

“The appointment of Hon. Aishwa Jumwa as a member of the Kenya Roads Board is unconstitutional and unlawful ab initio as it did not comply with Section 7 of the Kenya Roads Boards Act and articles 10,47 and 232 the Constitution of Kenya 2010,” said Justice Mwamuye.

Court Quashes Gazette Notice Appointing Aisha Jumwa as KRB Chair

He added that any fresh appointment must strictly follow the law and constitutional provisions.

According to the court decision, the problems in the appointment process made it illegal from the beginning. Justice Mwamuye said that all public appointments must follow both the Constitution and the law.

Also Read: Adan Mohamed to Be Sworn in as KRA Commissioner-General Despite Court Ruling

Why Court Overturned Former Gender CS’s Appointment

He explained that legality comes from strictly following the Constitution and the relevant Act. He added that if the required legal steps are not followed, the decision cannot stand.

“Legality flows from fidelity to the Constitution and the enabling law,” he said.

The court therefore cancelled the appointment and also quashed the Gazette notices that had confirmed it. These included Gazette Notice No. 384 of January 16, 2025, and Gazette Notice No. 395 of January 17, 2025.

Also Read:Court Orders Destruction of Vessel Linked to Ksh 8.2B Meth Cargo

However, the court said its decision does not automatically cancel all actions taken by the office during that period. The judge noted that it would not be fair to cancel all decisions without checking each one.

He warned that court orders must be balanced so as not to disrupt government work unnecessarily.

The court further directed that any future appointment to the position must fully follow the Kenya Roads Board Act and the Constitution. This includes fairness, transparency, and proper procedure.

It also noted that publishing an appointment in the Kenya Gazette does not make it legal if the correct process was not followed.

Aisha Jumwa was appointed as the non-executive Chairperson of the Kenya Roads Board (KRB) on Friday, January 17, 2025. President William Ruto named the former Gender Cabinet Secretary through a Gazette notice for a three-year term.

She replaced Ahmed Kolosh Mohamed, whose appointment was revoked. The move came about six months after she was dropped from the Cabinet during the July 2024 reshuffle following the Gen Z protests.

Follow our WhatsApp channel for instant news updates

A court hammer to signify the judgement of a judge. PHOTO/ODPP