The tenure of Machakos County cabinet members is hanging on the balance after the court on Monday nullified their appointment.
Making the ruling, the court held that the County Executive Committee (CEC) members are in office illegally.
The court further directed that the CECs should undergo fresh vetting by the county assembly for them to resume office.
Seven of the CECs were appointed by Governor Alfred Mutua in May and sworn into office in July joining three others, who were retained by Dr Mutua from his previous regime.
The seven nominees took oath of office in a ceremony witnessed by Machakos Chief Magistrate Alfred Kibiru.
This was despite protests by some Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) led Mark Muendo (Kinanie Ward).
The MCAs termed the appointment of the new cabinet members as 'an illegality and abuse of powers’ by the county boss.
This saw them decline to admit a report by the committee on appointments, which was to be tabled before the assembly to either approve or reject Dr Mutua’s nominees who had been vetted earlier by the assembly.
Rejecting the report, the MCAs cited the election petition case lodged by former Kathiani MP Wavinya Ndeti challenging Mutua's election which was pending ruling.
Those affected by the Monday's nullification include Kimeu Mbithi (Public Service), Evelyn Kavuu Mutie (Energy), Morris Aluanga (Roads ), Nzeki Matiku (County Administration), Francis Mwaka (Trade), Urbanus Musyoka (Agriculture ) and Lazarus Kivuva (Education).
