Kenya Bureau of Standards appoints Easter Ngari to replace suspended MD Benard Njiraini

KENYA –  Esther Ngari, the director of Standards Development and Trade at the Kenya Bureau of Standards, has been appointed managing director to replace Lt Col (Rtd.) Bernard Njiraini.

Njiraini was among 27 other state officials suspended over the alleged release of condemned sugar to the public that had been declared unfit for human consumption in 2018 and earmarked for conversion into industrial ethanol.

This is the second time in a period of 2 years that Njiraini is being ousted from office and Ngari taking over in acting capacity.

In July 2022, Ms. Betty Maina, Cabinet Secretary for Industrialization, Trade & Enterprise Development appointed Ms. Ngari, to assume the position in an Acting capacity following the suspension of his boss Njiraini the Employment and Labour Relations Court.

In his ruling, Justice Maureen Onyango stated that Njiraini was handpicked contrary to the law thus rendering his appointment illegal.

Njiraini was to later resume office after the High Court has suspended a decision that his appointment and that of the board of the National Standards Council (NSC).

Justice Jacob Gakeri ruled that Mr Njiraini whose appointment was quashed last week and that of the board of the NSC including its chairman Bernard Ngore should remain in office, pending the determination of an appeal they have filed.

Kebs replaces other suspended officers

Others from the standards body that were sent home include Dr Geoffrey Muriira (Director of Quality Assurance and Inspection), Hilda Keror (Manager of Inspection, Mombasa Port Office), Liston Lagat (Assistant Manager –ICDN Nairobi) and Stephen Owuor, a principal officer.

Replacing Ngari at the Standards Development and Trade office is Zachariah Lukorito while  Peter Makani has been named Nairobi’s chief manager of quality assurance.

Bernard Nguyo has since been appointed acting director of Quality Assurance and Inspection, Henry Sambul has been appointed as assistant manager, Kilindini, while Mutuma Muthuri will be the acting manager of Inspection at the Port of Mombasa.

“The National Standards Council wishes to inform the public that the officers will take up the positions below in an acting capacity effective today,” Kebs said in Thursday’s statement.

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Further Reading:

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