Court blocks reinstatement of NSSF boss

Just a day after Richard Lang’at assumed office as the managing trustee of the National Social Security Fund, the Industrial Court has blocked his reinstatement together with that of two other NSSF managers.

Industrial Court Judge Monica Mbaru has ordered Labour Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie not to allow the trio to resume office pending the hearing of an application filed by the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU).

COTU argues that it is only the NSSF’s board of trustees that has the power to hire or fire a managing trustee.

Early last week, NSSF Chairman Kariithi Murimi resigned, less than a week before Richard Lang’at assumed

Although details surrounding Langat’s reinstatement remain sketchy, the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE), which is represented on the NSSF board, said the fund’s board was not consulted, adding that it was up to the board to decide whether to reinstate Lang’at.

Lang’at was suspended early last year on grounds of abuse of office and investigated by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.

The EACC however recommended that administrative action be taken against him.

Meanwhile, in what appears to be yet another mysterious reinstatement to public office, Sumayya Athman is set to resume office as the managing director of the National Oil Corporation of Kenya.

Deputy President William Ruto is said to have announced this at a meeting in Malindi Monday night.

Sources who were present at the meeting say the DP said that Sumayya would stay in office pending the outcome of an ongoing audit at the state-owned oil marketing firm.