High court judge Eric Ogolla.[Photo/KNA]The Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) has been temporarily stopped from conducting interviews of shortlisted candidates for the post of director general. This makes it the fourth time the State body has unsuccessfully attempted to fill the top job.Justice Eric Ogolla issued the orders following an application by the Commission for Human Rights and Justice which had sought leave to commence judicial review proceedings against the government agency.“The leave is granted to operate as a stay of the intended interview of the shortlisted persons for the post of the Director General of the respondent (KMA) pending hearing and determination of this suit,” said Justice Ogolla Tuesday.The judge admitted the case which was filed under certificate of urgency to be heard during vacation.The board advertised for the position on October 17 for the fourth time with submissions of applications ending on November 8 before meeting November 17 to undertake the shortlisting exercise. However, in its suit, the NGO claims that a decision to shortlist applicants for the position was done without the required legal procedure.According to the commission, the time given between the date of advertisement for the position on October 17 and the date of shortlisting for interview on December 12 last year was too short to enable public participation regarding the applicants.“None of the advertisement was ever made on the official website of the organization,” the NGO’s application further states.The commission further argues that the advertisement was done by the chairman finance and human resource committee instead of the Board chairman or the corporation legal officer.In his supporting affidavit, Commission for Human Rights and Justice executive director Julius Ogogoh said the KMA board has shortlisted and is in the process of recruiting people, an action which is not in line with the Constitution.The court directed that the envisaged judicial review proceedings by the commission be filed in court within the next 14 days.The Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) has been temporarily stopped from conducting interviews of shortlisted candidates for the post of director general. This makes it the fourth time the State body has unsuccessfully attempted to fill the top job.Justice Eric Ogolla issued the orders following an application by the Commission for Human Rights and Justice which had sought leave to commence judicial review proceedings against the government agency.“The leave is granted to operate as a stay of the intended interview of the shortlisted persons for the post of the Director General of the respondent (KMA) pending hearing and determination of this suit,” said Justice Ogolla Tuesday.The judge admitted the case which was filed under certificate of urgency to be heard during vacation.The board advertised for the position on October 17 for the fourth time with submissions of applications ending on November 8 before meeting November 17 to undertake the shortlisting exercise. However, in its suit, the NGO claims that a decision to shortlist applicants for the position was done without the required legal procedure.According to the commission, the time given between the date of advertisement for the position on October 17 and the date of shortlisting for interview on December 12 last year was too short to enable public participation regarding the applicants.

Share news tips with us here at Hivisasa