PC transfer elicits mixed reactions

The transfer of Coast provincial commissioner Ernest Munyi drew mixed reactions from area leaders on Friday.

To some, Mr Munyi goes to North Eastern Province on promotion having registered a sterling performance during his eight-year tenure while to others, the transfer was “long overdue” and good riddance.

Kenya National Muslims Advisory Council chairman Sheikh Juma Ngao said Mr Munyi’s transfer was “an answer to our prayers”.

He praised the government for the move, saying locals had received “a Ramadhan gift” in reference to the Muslim fasting month that begins on July 21.

But the secretary general of Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya, who is also a nominated MP, Sheikh Muhamad Dor, termed the transfer as a promotion and wished the PC well in his new station.

He said that in Mr Munyi’s tenure, the region had achieved tranquillity and he had fought crime to the best of his ability.

Mr Munyi was transferred to North Eastern Province together with Kilifi county commissioner Mohamed Maalim.

The two, some people believe, will be effective in fighting crime in the vast North Eastern.

Sheikh Dor said the PC had good relations with Muslim leaders and was politically neutral.

Fisheries Development minister and Magarini MP Amason Kingi described the transfer as “good riddance and long overdue”.

He said Mr Munyi carried out “legal and illegal” squatter evictions with brutality and did not tackle drug abuse in the area.