The High Court has directed that a petition seeking to stop the upcoming police recruitment exercise be heard tomorrow, just two days before the scheduled nationwide exercise.
Justice Lawrence Mugambi issued the directive after a joint appearance by all parties, who agreed that the matter should be handled urgently in view of the recruitment set for Friday.
Lawyers Shadrack Wambui, Danstan Omari, and Cliff Ombeta, appearing for the petitioners Sheria Mtaani, urged the court to suspend the exercise, arguing that it raises serious constitutional issues.
“Given the opportunity, we will prove to the court that we have a prima facie case,” Wambui told the court, insisting that interim conservatory orders were necessary to protect constitutional principles.
On the other hand, lawyer Paul Nyamodi, representing the commission, opposed the plea for immediate suspension. He submitted that since no temporary orders had been granted earlier, the petitioners’ request should now be subjected to full argument.
“The petitioners before you have an application pending for conservatory orders. The proper direction is to hear it now that the matter has come before you,” Nyamodi said, assuring the court that the commission was ready to proceed without delay.
Justice Mugambi directed that parties exchange their submissions by the end of today and appear before him tomorrow at 10 a.m., when the application will be heard and determined ahead of Friday’s recruitment exercise.