Sakaja turns the heat on Mary Wambui over National Employment Authority post

Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja has urged ex-Othaya MP Mary Wambui to decline her recent appointment to the National Employment Authority (NEA).

In a statement to newsrooms on Thursday, Sakaja expressed his disappointment, terming the move as illegal as per Section 10 (2) of the National Employment Authority Act.

It states: “..a person shall be qualified to serve as the chairperson of the board if they have at least 7 years experience in Human Resource Management or its equivalent.”

Sakaja is one of the lawmakers behind the Bill that brought the authority into existence three years ago.

On Thursday, the Senator indicated that he intends to move to court to challenge Mary Wambui’s appointment that was announced on October 14.

“I have further instructed my lawyers as well as those of the Kenya Young Parliamentarians Association to file a petition this morning seeking to quash this appointment,” he added.

Labour CS Ukur Yatani, Attorney General Kihara Kariuki and ex-MP Wambui are to be named as respondents in the case.

According to him, many young Kenyans who have distinguished themselves in the industry, even to the level of the International Labour Organizaiton (ILO), are better qualified.

He averred that Wambui’s appointment goes against the vision of the authority to spearhead a system that connects job seekers with available opportunities both locally and internationally.

“The leadership of such an institution would need a vision carrier with knowledge of the subject matter and with the passion to drive it especially at its inception,” said Sakaja.

He acknowledged Wambui as a capable leader but opined that she can serve Kenyans in different capacity.

The Senator also took a swipe at the government on what he termed as slow pace in implementation of the NEA Bill.

“The day His Excellency the President assented to this Bill was possibly my most fulfilling as a MP. I was hopeful that the government would take this institution seriously and see it as an opportunity to streamline access to the job market as well as put their money where their mouth is with respect to youth employment,” he added.

Mary Wambui has since lashed out at critics insisting that she deserves the appointment.

A report in the Daily Nation quoted the former Othaya MP as saying she is up to the task.

“I got the post because I am better than those complaining. I have the qualifications and experience to run the office,” she told the local daily.