A petition has been filed in court seeking to halt the recently announced recruitment drive by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA).
The petition wants the entire recruitment exercise suspended, questioning its constitutionality and legality.
According to court documents, the legal dispute is targeting the ongoing recruitment of Compliance Officers, an Office Administrator, Accountants, a Corporate Communications Officer, and a Records Management Officer.
These vacancies were advertised on 13th January 2026, with the recruitment window set for 21 days, closing on 3rd February 2026.
The petitioner argues that the recruitment process is unconstitutional and discriminatory, finding fault with the requirement that applicants hand-deliver hard copies of their applications to NACADA headquarters in Nairobi.
The documents describe the whole process as a “travesty in law”, calling for judicial intervention to uphold constitutional principles.
Petitioner’s key grievancies
First, the petitioner does not understand the move to restrict submission of applications to physical delivery in Nairobi, given NACADA has 33 regional officers countrywide and an active website.
Second, the petitioner is faulting NACADA for failing to advertise the vacancies in newspapers of national circulation, opting to rely solely on the MyGov publication.
Third, the petitioner highlights the omission of remuneration details in the advertisement, a ,move that is contrary to statutory requirements.
The petitioner also argues that the recruitment process has violated constitutional provisions on equality, fair labour practices and fair administrative action.
The petition, filed at the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Nairobi, is seeking urgent conservatory orders to stay, suspend and restrain the Authority from continuing with the recruitment and appointment process, pending hearing and determination of the case.
Sources familiar with the matter indicate that the filing of the petition has effectively halted any further steps related to the recruitment exercise until the court provides direction.
Internal processes connected to shortlisting and appointments have also been paused in light of the petition.
The hearing of interpartes is scheduled for 9th March 2026.
