Kisumu — A Kisumu High Court has issued orders barring the newly appointed Chemelil sugar factory Managing Director Moses Kiprop from taking over office after a farmer moved to court to challenge his appointment.

Kiproo was recently appointed by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Muthika Linturi in a special gazette notice.

Michael Sidigu, a sugarcane farmer within Nyando Sufarbelt filed a petition before Kisumu Employment and Labor relations court Judge justice Stephen Radido citing among other things that the appointment was done contrary to the law.

Sidigu says his appointment has gone against the labour laws, Chemelil factory human resources guidelines which indicated that the suitable candidate to be below 56 years old yet Kiproo is 58 years old.

In the petition, the plaintiff argued that there is no law that provides for a concurrence letter for such an appointment from the office of Chief of Staff and Head of Public service.

Justice Radido ordered the matter to be heard before him on 23rd January 2024.

Jacqueline Kotonya has been the acting MD at the state owned mill and was due to hand over to the new substantive MD.

Those named as respondents in the suit also include the Attorney General, Chemelil sugar factory, Board chairman, Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi and the Public service commission.