NAIROBI, Kenya June 18 – The Employment and Labour Relations Court in Kericho has sentenced Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok and ten senior county officials to 30 days in civil jail for contempt of court.
In a ruling delivered on Thursday, Justice Anna Mwaure found the county leadership guilty of disobeying court orders directing the reinstatement of 350 employees whose contracts had been unlawfully terminated.
The judge said the court had exercised patience in the matter and had hoped the county officials would comply with its directives.
“The court has been grappling with this issue and hoping against hope that the respondents would comply with the court orders. Since you have not been able to comply with the court orders, unfortunately, the law has to take its course,” Justice Mwaure ruled.
Among those convicted and sentenced alongside Governor Barchok were County Secretary Simon Langat, County Executive Committee Member for Finance Milcah Rono, Public Service Board Chairperson Eng. Alexander Ngeno, Public Service Board Chief Executive Officer Emily Cheson, retired Human Resource Officer Eric Rono, and board members David Tuei, Isaiah Biegon, Paul Kirui, Cecilia Getich, and Millicent Soi.
The court ordered that the eleven officials serve their sentence at Nakuru GK Prison until they demonstrate compliance with the reinstatement orders issued in March.
The case stems from a dispute in which the Employment and Labour Relations Court directed the Bomet County Government to reinstate 350 employees after finding that their contracts had been terminated unlawfully. The officials were found guilty of failing to implement the court’s directive.
The ruling comes amid conflicting reports circulating online regarding the governor’s whereabouts, with some claims alleging that he had been arrested. However, available information indicates that Governor Barchok was not arrested on Thursday and continued with his official duties, including inspecting ongoing road projects in Nyangores Ward, Chepalungu Sub-County.
The governor also announced the commencement of installation works for long-life and fresh pasteurised milk processing equipment at the Chebunyo Dairies plant in Chebunyo Ward.
The sentencing comes just a day after Governor Barchok declared his intention to contest the Bomet Senate seat on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket in the 2027 General Election.
