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Nakuru County Assembly Speaker Joel Karuri has defended himself against claims of being in contempt of court orders for allowing the vetting of County Chief Officers (COs) despite an order barring the process.

Through lawyer Lawrence Karanja who appeared before Employment and Labour Relations court judge David Nderitu, the Speaker said the process was halted after receiving the orders.

Karanja had filed a preliminary objection seeking to have the petition by Michael Oduor struck out and the orders blocking the vetting process of COs vacated.

The Speaker found himself in a tight spot after Oduor’s lawyer Allan Kibet sought the court’s leave to file for contempt, accusing the Speaker of blatantly ignoring orders.

Kibet in his application yesterday informed the court that despite the orders issued on Friday last week, the assembly went ahead with the vetting from Monday to Wednesday.

He revealed the process is almost complete with only two of the 21 nominees not being vetted saying the same should attract punishment from the courts.

“Despite this court issuing an order on November 11, they went ahead for three days from November 14 to 16, I seek to be allowed to file an application to hold them in contempt,” said Kibet. However, in a quick rejoinder, the speaker denied the claims saying he was served with the orders when the process had begun adding that it stopped after acknowledging receipt.