Blow For Ruto A Court Extends Order Barring National Climate Change Council Appointees From Assuming Office

By Samuel Ouma Nairobi High Court judge Mugure Thande on Monday extended orders prohibiting newly appointed members of the National Climate Change Council from taking office pending the hearing and determination of a case. The case was filed by a group of Community Based organisations (CBOs) who complained of unfairness and political infiltration into the appointments made by President William Ruto. According to the group, President Ruto should have selected persons who understand the climate change narrative and have worked in the Climate Change area for a long time to relate to genuine challenges when decision-making is required. Justice Mugure Thande granted ex parte orders suspending the appointment and gazettement of Emily Mwende Waita, John Kioli, Umar Omar, and George Odero Outa as members of the Climate Change Council in a petition filed at Milimani law courts in February 2023. "That the court is satisfied that the petitioners have satisfied the threshold for grant of conservatory orders at this exparte stage and I do grant prayers(b) of this application to wit: conservatory orders be and is hereby issued to prevent Ms.Emily Mwende Waita,Mr.John Kioli,Ms.Umar Omar and Dr.George Odera Outa from being appointed, gazetted and or assuming, occupying and or holding offices as members of the National Climate Change Council pending the hearing and determination of this application," read the order. The court has ordered that the parties in the case file and serve submissions. The case will be heard on June 12, 2023.