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The High Court has dealt President William Ruto’s administration another legal setback after nullifying the appointment of former Gender Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa as chairperson of the Kenya Roads Board (KRB).

In a ruling delivered on Wednesday, Justice Bahati Mwamuye found that the appointment failed to meet the legal standards required under the Kenya Roads Board Act.

The court further ruled that the process did not fully align with constitutional principles on public appointments and transparency.

The judgment now forces the government to restart the recruitment process through a procedure that complies with the law, marking yet another moment of scrutiny for the Kenya Kwanza administration over state appointments.

Jumwa’s appointment had attracted public attention from the beginning due to her political influence and close ties to President Ruto. 

Although she was left out during recent Cabinet changes, many political observers viewed her placement at the Kenya Roads Board as part of a broader strategy to retain key political allies within influential government institutions.

Following the ruling, reactions quickly emerged across the political divide. 

Critics of the government argued that the decision exposes weaknesses in how some public appointments are being conducted, while supporters defended Jumwa, insisting she possesses the leadership experience needed for such a role.

The Kenya Roads Board remains one of the country’s most important infrastructure agencies, overseeing funding and coordination for road maintenance projects across Kenya. 

Leadership changes within the institution therefore carry major significance for transport planning and public development programs.

The ruling also comes at a politically sensitive time when the government is already facing pressure over the rising cost of living, fuel prices, and questions surrounding governance and accountability.

Legal experts say the judgment reinforces the judiciary’s role in ensuring executive decisions comply with both constitutional and statutory requirements. 

Attention is now expected to shift to how quickly the government will initiate a fresh appointment process and whether new legal safeguards will be observed to avoid another court challenge in the future.