Retired KDF officer sues President Ruto for sacking him as KNTC chairperson

A retired military officer whose appointment to the position of chairperson of the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) was revoked has filed a suit. The respondents in the suit are President William Ruto and Attorney General (AG) Justin Muturi.

Rtd Captain Paul Rukaria was one of former President Uhuru Kenyatta's last-minute appointments. He was appointed on August 5, 2022, four days before the general election. 

President Ruto revoked his appointment through a gazette notice dated February 6, 2023. Hussein Tene Debasso, an Isiolo gubernatorial candidate loser, replaced him as chair.

Rukaria has asked court to suspend the appointment of his replacement pending the hearing of the suit. 

He has termed the revocation of his appointment as unlawful citing Section 7 (3) of the State Corporations Act; before the President can revoke the appointment of any board member, there has to be cogent reasons for the said revocation and the same must be subject to consultation with the State Corporation Advisory Committee.

Temporary orders

The Employment and Labour Relations Court on Wednesday, February 22 issued temporary orders barring President Ruto from revoking Rukaria's appointment, pending the hearing and determination of his petition.

"THAT Pending hearing and determination of the Application inter partes, a conservatory order is hereby granted, staying and/or halting the application/ realization of Gazette Notice No. 1383 dated 6th February 2023, appointing the 1st Interested Party, Hussein Tene Debasso, as the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Kenya National Trading Corporation for a period of 3 years, and in consequence revoking the appointment of the Petitioner herein," read the court order.