Embu: New governor Mbarire reshuffles top govt officials
Embu governor Cecily Mbarire has made a reshuffle of senior officers of Embu county government with others being sent on compulsory leave.
The changes have seen massive changes in the Embu health sector in a move to enhance service delivery to the residents.
Simon Kariuki who was acting as the Chief Executive Officer [(CEO) for Embu level 5 hospital has been sent on compulsory leave.
His position was replaced by Dr Daniel Mugendi who was the hospital Medical Superintendent and he will now act in the two positions.
In what is seen as efforts by the new county boss to 'resurrect' the dead health sector in Embu county, Dr Stephen Kaniaru, who worked as the director of medical services, has been moved to act as Chief Officer Health.
The acting county CEC for health Dr John Mukundi has been demoted to Chief officer and he will now work in public Service.
Esther Karimi Mbogo who was acting as Chief Officer Health will now work as the director health administration in the changes made.
The governor has also sent the top leadership of Embu County Revenue Authority [ECRA] on compulsory leave in order to optimize revenue collection in the county for better service delivery.
Henry Muriuki who was the Chief Executive Officer for the county revenue collection body [ECRA], her deputy Evelyne Kimuli and Jesse Mwangi who is the county revenue officer are the top officers who have been sent home for leave.
Jonathan Kiringa, Dorothy Karimi Njeru and John Murithi Mwarire from Runyenjes, Mbeere South and Manyatta sub-counties are other revenue officers who have been retired from their duties.
Suleiman Nthiga who was the Chief Executive Member (CECM) for Finance and Economic Planning has been moved to the Ministry of Agriculture Livestock and Cooperative development, leaving the former portfolio to Mary Munene who will now take the Finance docket.
Dr John Mukundi, who was the acting Chief Executive Member for Health which has had an outcry from members of the public for failing to get proper medical services, has been moved from the docket and moved to public service as a Chief Officer.
His former docket was placed under the care of Ngeca Kunga who will now act as the CEC health docket leaving the environment docket that he held before.
Ruth Wambui Ndirangu who was the Chief Officer Finance and Economic Planning has been transferred to the road, transport and public works with Damiano Muthee who was the chief officer for agriculture and cooperatives will now work as the Chief Officer Finance and Economic Planning.
The changes come barely a day after Mbarire constituted a task force of six seasoned medical experts who proposed solutions aimed at reforming the ailing health system.
The task force, chaired by retired former Director of Medical Services at the Ministry of Health Dr Francis Kimani, according to the Embu governor, has a mandate of one month within which it is expected to come up with practical solutions toward revamping the health sector.
“The team has the liberty to visit all the health facilities on a fact-finding mission to establish what is ailing the public health sector and come up with short and long-term solutions,” she said.
