A Labour and Employment Court sitting in Nairobi has barred former Othaya MP Mary Wambui from being appointed chairperson of the National Employment Authority.
President Uhuru Kenyatta had nominated Wambui to the position last year, causing outrage from among young people.
However, Justice Onesmus Makau on Friday barred Wambui from being appointed to the position, arguing that the case presented before him had merit.
Young parliamentarians through Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja had moved to court, opposing the appointment, arguing that she did not have the relevant qualifications.
“That the 3rd respondent (Wambui) has on several occasions personally admitted that she possesses a limited educational background, which for all intents and purposes makes her unqualified and unsuitable to conduct the affairs of the chairperson of National Employment Authority in light of the specialist academic and professional requirements that were intended to be possessed by the chairperson of the said authority,” the petition read.
Friday's ruling is a blow to President Kenyatta, who has been accused in the past of preferring old people to the youth in his appointments.
Speaking on Tuesday, Uhuru said he had rewarded many youths to Chief Administrative Secretary posts, urging them to help him deliver his agenda to the people.