While responding to a case filed by Ombati on his wrongful dismissal, the County boss says that the ex-CEC misrepresented the facts and made him believe that what he was launching was an entire consignment of drugs worth over Ksh.22 million. Nyaribo says he did not even know that the batches were yet to be delivered.
According to the governor he realized that there was a shortage of drugs yet to be delivered after an emergency incident at Ikonge Girls secondary school where students were admitted for various medical complaints and there were no drugs to be administered.
He says that the department of Health procured drugs and non-pharmaceuticals worth over Ksh.22 million from MEDS which was to be distributed across 126 health facilities in the County.
He further says that on the July 6, 2023, Ombati prompted him that the consignment was due to be delivered and as such he wanted him to commission and launch the distribution of the drugs
In the case Timothy Ombati has sued the County Governor Amos Nyaribo for dismissing him from office, claiming that he was unlawfully terminated.
Ombati was sacked from his position as a County Executive Officer over claims of theft of drugs and misappropriation of funds.
However, Ombati through lawyer Danstan Omari says that he was never accorded a fair hearing on grounds warranting his termination, saying that the termination was effected in gross violation of his rights and the principles of natural justice.
“That also key to the petition is the fact that the prominent reason for termination is alleged embarrassment to the governor which reasons he says that is not contemplated in the County government act as warranting the summary dismissal from service of a CEO,” reads court papers
The matter will be mentioned on October 31. Parties have been directed to exchange submissions.