The Employment Court has ordered the suspension of the appointment of Mary Wambui to the National Employment Authority.

The court, through Justice Hellen Wasilwa, on Wednesday, October 23, directed that Wambui should not assume office until a petition challenging her appointment is heard and determined.

The petitioner, the Kenya Young Parliamentarian Association, through its legal representative Mwenje & Karanja Advocates, argue that Mary Wambui is not qualified to lead the Authority as its chairperson.

The petitioner says the former Othaya MP does not meet the requirements set by Section 10(2) of the National Employment Authority Act.

One of the requirements that Section 10 (2) of the National Employment Authority Act stipulates is that the chairperson should “have at least seven years’ experience in human resource management or its equivalent”. According to the petitioner, Wambui does not have any HR qualifications.

Other requirements include: the holder must be a citizen of Kenya and is known to be a person of integrity.

The Kenya Young Parliamentarian Association chairperson, Johnson Sakaja, had instructed the outfit’s lawyers to lodge a legal complaint against Mary Wambui’s appointment.

Labour minister Ukur Yatani on October 14 appointed Wambui to the position of chairperson of the National Employment Authority, sparking criticism from Kenyans on social media, who argued the Jubilee Government has a penchant for recycling “elderly and failed politicians”.

 Mary Wambui, however, defended her appointment, saying she has what it takes to lead the agency.

“I got the post because I am better than those complaining. I have the qualifications and experience to run the office,” she said last week.