Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi has been dealt a big blow after a court ruled in favour of county officials he had suspended over graft.
A High Court quashed the governor's move to suspend eight senior officers in his government, after they were allegedly linked to graft.
The suspension of the officials came after a report from the office of the Auditor General indicated that Sh51 million was missing from the county's coffers and could not be accounted for.
In his ruling, Malindi Resident Judge Said Chitembwe ordered Kingi’s government to reinstate the officials and allow them to continue with their duties.
The court also ordered different agencies including Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet, Director of Public Prosecution Keriako Tobiko and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission from interfering with the officers’ duties in any way.
The suspended officers include Lenox Mwadzoya, John Kalume, Paul Mwazo, Josephine Muramba, Dr Timothy Malingi, Dickson Tembo, Johnson Nyamawi Gambi and Jacob Konde.
The county government has been asked to produce more information to allow for further investigations into the matter.
The case will be heard on January 24, 2017.