NAIROBI, Kenya – The High Court has temporarily halted the election for the position of president within the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya (PSK) following a legal dispute over candidate eligibility.
Justice Lawrence Mugambi issued an order preventing the printing and distribution of ballot papers and suspending any election-related activities for the post until further court proceedings.
The ruling comes after Joseph Kathare, the current vice president of the PSK, contested his exclusion from the race.
Kathare claims that after declaring his intent to run for president and submitting the required nomination forms, his application was unexpectedly dismissed on what he describes as “flimsy grounds.”
“I was shocked to learn that my application was declined on arbitrary grounds,” Kathare said.
He filed an appeal, seeking more time to prepare his case, but alleges his appeal was dismissed without his input.
Kathare has raised concerns about the fairness of the process, asserting that he has been denied the opportunity to participate in a transparent electoral process, despite being a “fully paid-up and compliant member of the society.”
In his filing, Kathare urged the court to intervene, claiming that without judicial action, he would be unfairly locked out of the election.
Justice Mugambi’s order restrains PSK and its National Elections Board from holding elections, swearing in candidates, or undertaking any other actions related to filling the president’s position.
The court directed the respondents to submit their responses within three days, with further directives scheduled for December 2.
Justice Lawrence Mugambi issued an order preventing the printing and distribution of ballot papers and suspending any election-related activities for the post until further court proceedings.
The ruling comes after Joseph Kathare, the current vice president of the PSK, contested his exclusion from the race.
Kathare claims that after declaring his intent to run for president and submitting the required nomination forms, his application was unexpectedly dismissed on what he describes as “flimsy grounds.”
“I was shocked to learn that my application was declined on arbitrary grounds,” Kathare said.
He filed an appeal, seeking more time to prepare his case, but alleges his appeal was dismissed without his input.
Kathare has raised concerns about the fairness of the process, asserting that he has been denied the opportunity to participate in a transparent electoral process, despite being a “fully paid-up and compliant member of the society.”
In his filing, Kathare urged the court to intervene, claiming that without judicial action, he would be unfairly locked out of the election.
Justice Mugambi’s order restrains PSK and its National Elections Board from holding elections, swearing in candidates, or undertaking any other actions related to filling the president’s position.
The court directed the respondents to submit their responses within three days, with further directives scheduled for December 2.
