A native of the historic Wanga Kingdom, Sakwa is also known for his contributions to global health, particularly in diagnostics for parasitological diseases
By Daniel Otieno and Faith Anene, Kakamega
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has nominated seasoned medical laboratory scientist James Robert Wakungwi Sakwa as the Chairperson of the Kakamega County Public Service Board (CPSB), signaling a new chapter for the long-stalled board.
Sakwa, a Principal Medical Laboratory Technologist at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (Mmust), brings a wealth of experience spanning 28 years in Kenya’s health sector. He holds a diploma and higher diploma in medical parasitology and entomology, and a degree in medical laboratory science from the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) and Mount Kenya University, respectively.
His nomination marks a strategic move by Governor Barasa to revitalize the CPSB, which has been non-functional since 2023 following the impeachment of its previous members.
A native of the historic Wanga Kingdom, Sakwa is also known for his contributions to global health, particularly in diagnostics for parasitological diseases. He has over 21 years of international experience and is recognized for his expertise in laboratory quality management systems, biosafety, biosecurity, and continuous quality improvement.
Governor Barasa has also nominated three others to serve as board members, the former Lurambi MP Raphael Milikau Otaalo, former Chief Officer for Social Services Vivien Ayuma Asiachi, and Jason Stanlake Mulama, the Deputy Director of Learning and Development at the Kenya School of Government, Baringo campus.
The quartet now awaits vetting by the Kakamega County Assembly to determine their suitability for the positions. They will then team up with Vice-chair Ambrose Subayi and member Sylvia Otunga survived the impeachment.
The new nominations come against the backdrop of a protracted legal and political wrangles surrounding the board.
In 2023, the County Assembly of Kakamega impeached four CPSB members, Chairperson Catherine Omweno, and members Stanley Were, Ralph Wangatiah, and Joel Omukoko, over accusations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, conflict of interest, and violations of the Constitution.
However, the four moved to court and on June 6, 2024, the Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC) in Kakamega overturned their impeachment. Justice Jemimah Keli ruled that the process had violated the rights of the petitioners, terming the proceedings flawed and unconstitutional.
Governor Barasa’s nominations are seen as part of a broader effort to stabilize governance and streamline public service delivery in the county. But given the controversy that has shadowed the board for the last two years, the incoming team will have to navigate not only administrative tasks but also lingering political tensions
“The petition by members of the board succeeds; the overall process was flawed as rights of the petitioners as guaranteed under the Constitution were violated,” Justice Keli ruled.
She further noted that non-members of the County Public Service and Administration Committee had signed the impeachment report and that the notices issued for the accused to appear before the committee did not meet legal thresholds.
In a strong rebuke of the Assembly’s actions, Justice Keli quashed the removal decision, awarded each petitioner Ksh1 million in damages, and ordered their immediate reinstatement.
Governor Barasa, however, challenged the ruling at the Court of Appeal. On February 7, 2025, a three-judge appellate bench — Justices Hannah Okwengu, Hellen Omondi, and Joel Ngugi overturned the ELRC judgment.
In their ruling, the judges declared that the ELRC lacked jurisdiction to hear the case, which they said was constitutional in nature and should have been filed in the High Court’s Constitutional Division.
“Jurisdiction is everything. Without it, a court has no power to make one more step,” read the ruling in part. “Where a court takes it upon itself to exercise a jurisdiction which it does not possess, its decision amounts to nothing.”
The appellate court dismissed the ELRC’s decision and ruled that the CPSB members’ petition should have been filed before a court with the proper jurisdiction.
The appellate ruling effectively nullified the ELRC’s orders, clearing the way for the governor to reconstitute the board. With the nomination of Sakwa and three new members, attention now turns to the Kakamega County Assembly, which is expected to vet the nominees in the coming days.
If approved, the new board will be tasked with rebuilding the credibility and operational capacity of the CPSB, which plays a critical role in hiring, disciplining, and managing human resource functions for the county’s public workforce.
Governor Barasa’s nominations are seen as part of a broader effort to stabilize governance and streamline public service delivery in the county. But given the controversy that has shadowed the board for the last two years, the incoming team will have to navigate not only administrative tasks but also lingering political tensions.
