The Employment and Labour Relations Court in Machakos has nullified the appointment of a chief in Mitaboni Location, ruling that the appointee lacked the minimum academic qualifications.

• The appointee, Ms Lea Kalondu Ngutu, had scored a D- in her KCSE exam, falling short of the required C (Plain).
• The case was filed by residents Stephen Nzomo Mutua and Anthony Ndonye Mutiso, challenging the recruitment process by the Ministry of Interior and the Public Service Commission (PSC).
• The court affirmed that mandatory academic qualifications for public appointments cannot be waived and must be based on merit, voiding the appointment as unconstitutional and illegal.