Town clerk blocked from office

• Civic leaders say that council should be audited before new officers can take over

Councillors and employees of Bungoma Municipal Council on Monday blocked the new town clerk from taking over office.

The civic leaders and the local branch of the Local Government workers’ union blocked Mr John Masongo from assuming his new role, claiming that he had been imposed on them by ministry officials.

Former clerk Ainea Indakwa was posted to Mbeere County Council.

Mr Masongo, who was moved from Webuye Municipal Council, was ordered to leave the town hall by the irate councillors.

He said he would return to his former station in Webuye, awaiting the ministry’s directions.

Mayor Henry Majimbo who had earlier received the new clerk, joined the opposing team at the last minute. Only two of out of 10 councillors in the municipal council supported the new appointment.

Later, civic leaders held a close door meeting chaired by Mr Majimbo and resolved to appoint the council treasurer, Mr Erastus Karani, to act as the town clerk. His post will taken by Robert Masinde.

Mr Majimbo, who read the resolutions on behalf of the councillors, said they had decided to block the new officer from taking office to pave way for a thorough audit before handing over to a new officer

“We have taken this move to enable the council put its records in order and establish the financial position before any new officer takes over,” Mr Majimbo said.

Opened loopholes

He said the tendency to have new clerks taking over office before proper auditing was done had opened loopholes for graft.

Provincial Local Government officer Jeremiah Onchieku denied any wrong doing and said that the changes had been effected from the ministry headquarters.

He said councillors had marched to his office demanding that Mr Indakwa be retained because they thought his transfer to be political.