Post-election job pacts now swamp Nyanza governors
Governors from Nyanza are facing a big headache recruiting county staff — including ministers —following numerous job applications by professionals allied to top party leaders.
Most of the professionals were attached to the Azimio presidential campaign and were hoping to be accommodated in the national government had Raila Odinga won the presidency.
Now they have retreated to counties where they are staking claim to plum posts.
The former campaign officials have mainly flocked to Homa Bay, Migori, Siaya, Kisii and Nyamira counties.
Respective governors have been forced to come out with declarations that the positions the professionals are demanding were filled, with the occupiers on long-term contracts. This has made it difficult for most first-time governors to replace old staffers with “their people.” The governors have been pleading with their supporters seeking jobs in counties to give them ample time to reorganise the units.
Labour laws
Last month, the Office of the Ombudsman warned governors against violating labour laws while weeding excess workers.
“It’s not easy for us because, almost everyone wants a placement at the county, yet some of the workers are on contract,’’ said one of the governors.
This quandary has made governors delay in picking their County Executive Committee members and advisors.
Siaya Governor James Orengo has, for instance, not named his County Executive Committee members, but has promised to do so soon. “I will unveil my County Executive and the senior administrative team soon,’’ he said, adding that he has instituted a forensic audit of the county coffers.
The governor roped in former Auditor General Edward Ouko to probe suspected misuse of county funds by previous administrations. “This is not a witch-hunt. We just want to ensure that money was spent on deserving projects; if not, we take action,’’ Orengo said.
Also, he has frozen all payments of pending bills until they are verified and justified.
Ouko and his team are carrying out a forensic audit now on all revenue streams, and contracts that were awarded and paid.
Today, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has pitched the tent at the county headquarters seeking to establish how Sh400 million was lost.
But Orengo’s critics say that he was, all this time, the local Senator with an oversight role on county funds.
A voter in Siaya County, and an active ODM supporter, Bella Omollo, wondered what Orengo did as a senator to “play the good man now.’’ ‘’He must also be held accountable,’’ said Omollo.
Team of advisors
In Homa Bay, Governor Gladys Wanga recently named a team of advisors on key development segments such as climate change and governance. She picked 11 advisors, including former Standard Group managing editor Okech Kendo, to advise her on climate change. “I have taken great care to ensure both regional balance and gender equity,’’ she said.
Migori Governor Ochillo Ayacko has named six ministers out of the 10 slots, and a few support staff. “I am still restructuring the Executive and Management to ensure balance and order,’’ he said. Ayacko recently ran into legal hurdles after he advertised for the position of the chief officer. Those in office dashed to court and obtained reinstatement orders. But upon their return, they were told to await redeployment, since some were in an acting capacity.
Some governors have been forced to suspend all casual workers and hire fresh ones. Migori has, for example, advertised for the positions of revenue collectors and sweepers, with the contracts of many workers almost expired.
But there was a standoff in Nyamira between Governor Amos Nyaribo and his deputy, James Gesami, over the sharing of county ministers.
Speaking to ‘People Daily’ from Naivasha yesterday, Gesami accused Nyaribo of single-handedly nominating ministers and chief officers, contrary to their memorandum of understanding before the polls.
“I had only asked for three positions of chief officers and three ministers. But my boss, Nyaribo, ignored my request yet I brought more than half of the votes we received”. He added: “He announced the list of nominations behind my back”.
Gesami’s supporters yesterday threatened to disrupt all public meetings conducted by Nyaribo until he gives in.
When Governor Nyaribo was contacted, he downplayed the complaints. “These positions are very few and not everyone can bring their choices to the table. Still, their other positions of directors, where his interests may be accommodated,” he added.
In Kisumu, Nyong’o has named six positions and left four open, but he has been put on task to ensure gender balance. He picked only one woman.
Yesterday, Kisii Governor Simba Arati named his 10-member cabinet, almost two months after he was sworn in, ending public anxiety. The list indicated that the governor was keen to accommodate the county’s nine constituencies and six clans — Bogirango, Bobasi, Bonchari, Bogetutu, Nyaribari and Bomachoge.
None of the CECs under former Governor James Ongwae was retained.
The CECs include Leah Bwari Ogega, Medical Services, Public Health and Sanitation; Kennedy Okemwa Abincha, Finance, Economic Planning and Information and Communication Technology( ICT); Grace Kerubo Nyarangi, Lands, Physical Planning, Housing and Urban Development; and Cyrus Nyachenge Nyabicha, Infrastructure, Energy and Public Works.
Elijah Okemwa Obwori is the CEC for Education, Technical Training, Innovation and Social Services; Beatrice Mong’ina Doyle, Agriculture, Fisheries, Livestock Development and Irrigation; Dr Alfred Ndemo Ong’era, Trade, Tourism, Industry and marketing; Ronald Gideon Nyakweba, Water, Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change; and Daniel Ondabu Nyakundi, Public Service, County Administration and Participatory Development, Office of the Governor.
Bwari hails from Bomchoge Borabu constituency; Okemwa, Kitutu Chache South; Kerubo, Nyaribari Chache; Nyachenge, Bomachoge Chache; Obwori, Bobasi; Mong’ina, Bonchari; Ndemo, Kitutu Chache North; Nyakweba, South Mugirango; and Nyakundi, Nyaribari Masaba.
None of the CECs under former Governor James Ongwae was retained.
