Labor court halts vetting of Homa Bay deputy governor nominee Danish Onyango and county executives

The Employment and Labor Relations Court in Kisumu has stopped the ongoing vetting and approval of key nominees in Homa Bay County, including deputy Governor nominee Danish Onyango, pending the determination of a petition challenging the process. Justice Nzioki Makau on March 30, 2026, directed that the vetting exercise initiated by the Homa Bay County Assembly be suspended until a petition filed by Michael Kojo Otieno and Evans Otieno Oloo is heard and determined. The conservatory order halts the recruitment process advertised in local dailies on March 20, 2026, affecting several positions, including deputy governor, county executive committee member for trade, industry, tourism, marketing and cooperative development, and the county executive committee member for governance and devolution. Otieno petitioned the court that the vetting and approval process is unconstitutional and fails to meet the required legal thresholds. He accuses the county government and the county assembly—named as respondents—of proceeding with the exercise in a manner he terms unlawful. Among the orders sought, the petitioner wants the court to declare the vetting process invalid, stop the appointments, and restrain the respondents from continuing with the recruitment until due process is followed. The court directed that the application dated March 25, 2026, be served on all respondents ahead of the hearing scheduled for April 28, 2026.