KAKAMEGA, Kenya – A section of residents of Kakamega has been thrown into a state of celebration following a court’s ruling, temporarily halting the suspension of Roy Sasaka Telewa as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) under the Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services.
On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, the Employment and Labour Relations Court sitting at the Milimani Commercial Court granted Telewa temporary orders blocking his suspension as recommended by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
On January 12, 2026, EACC, through a letter to Gender, Culture and Children Services Cabinet Secretary Hanna Wendot Cheptumo, recommended Telewa’s suspension pending a probe into and determination of the allegations of unexplained wealth, abuse of office, conflict of interest, and money laundering.
The court certified the matter as urgent and blocked the government from terminating his services or appointing any other person to replace the beleaguered NGAAF CEO.
When the case came up for hearing of the application before Justice Mathews Nderi Nduma in the presence of Counsel for the Petitioner and Counsel for the Respondent, it was declared that the applications dated 12/1/2026 and 13/1/2026 be considered together.
How the Milimani Commercial Court ruled in the case
Also, the court ruled that the Respondent file a replying affidavit to the application dated 13/1/2026 within 10 days.
“The applicant is to file a supplementary affidavit and submissions within 10 days of service, and the respondent is to file submissions within 10 days of service,” the court declared even as it set the mention of the case before Wasilwa J. on 2/3/2026.
Additionally, in Telewa’s favour, the court also extended the interim orders.
“Penal Notice: Take notice that any disobedience or non-observance of the order of the court served herewith will result in penal consequences to you and any other person(s) disobeying and not observing the same,” reads the order signed by Deputy Registrar Joseph Keverenge.
Following the ruling, some residents of Matunda in Likuyani, Kakamega County, welcomed the court’s decision in Nairobi, which halted the suspension or removal of Telewa over allegations of misuse of office and money laundering.
Matunda residents react to the court’s decision
Speaking in the Matunda area, the residents praised the ruling, saying the move protects legal processes and shields individuals from premature punishment before a full investigation is carried out.
“As young people, we are here today, and we want to welcome the court’s ruling reinstating Telewa to his position. It is a very good gesture for the youth, a good gesture for the people of Kakamega County and a good gesture for the people of the entire western Kenya region,” said Tom Rasto, a youth leader from Kakamega County and a resident of Matunda in Likuyani Constituency.
EACC had further recommended that the officer receive half salary for six months to allow the investigation to proceed without interference.
This was after EACC sleuths on January 8, 2026, conducted raids at Telewa’s office and residence, investigating him over allegations of possessing unexplained assets worth approximately Sh1 billion.
“We want to state categorically that it is important for the Executive and any other person to obey court orders. The courts are there to serve any other Kenyan, and this is not only good when it favours you but also good when it is on another person’s side,” Rasto added.
What does Tom Rasto want the investigative agencies to do?
Rasto, who spoke on behalf of the residents, reiterated that the investigative agencies should conduct a serious probe before presenting any documentation in court for further processing.
“This matter was ruled in favour of Telewa because there was no substantive evidence of the claims presented by the EACC. So, we just want to urge that it is important for any entity of the government to respect court orders. Additionally, I want to state that Telewa is the CEO of NGAF, and we are very much aware of the procurement processes in NGAF,” he explained.
Rasto further lauded President William Ruto for what he termed his ‘dedicated’ service to Kenyans and women and youth in particular.
“As the young people we follow, we are thankful to the president for ensuring that there are online and e-procurement processes because this is the only way we can fight corruption. So, we want to say that we shall continue supporting the president so that he continues serving Kenyans across all 47 counties. This is for the Kenyan youth and women who are under-represented.”
Meanwhile, the case has been scheduled to be mentioned on March 2, 2026.
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