Garissa MCAs declare war on errant county executive members

Garissa members of the County Assembly have declared war against the county executive members whom they accuse of violating the constitution and being disrespectful to the county assembly.

In a rare show of unity, the MCAs who were previously divided along tribal and political lines, when making decisions touching on county executive members, have declared to work beyond clan chauvinism and defend their electorate against what they called a runaway abuse of offices.

On Thursday Majority leader and Galbet Ward representative Ibrahim Abdi Ali initiated a motion that seeks to remove the County Executive Committee (CEC) member for Finance and Economic Planning Mr Idriss Muktar from office.

The CEC is reportedly said to have failed to honour summons to answer to various claims of abuse of office.

“The CEC member failed to respect request made by the Budget and Appropriation Committee, the Public Accounts and Investments Committee. This is a gross violation of the Constitution and other relevant laws,” Mr Ali told the house while moving the motion.

CRACK WHIP

The county lawmakers have vowed to crack the whip against non-performing county employees who fail to meet the expectations of the people of Garissa County.

Last week, the County Public Service Board was sent home over claims of abuse office and violation of the Constitution following alleged irregular recruitment of several employees.

According to a report tabled in the house by an ad hoc committee that was established to investigate the claims of bias in recruitment of the county workforce, the board was found to have breached the provisions of chapter 14 Article (238) of the constitution which provides thresholds for the conduct of a public officer.

The board has since moved to court seeking to stop the assembly from de-gazetting them. Lawyer Stephen Mogaka representing the board said the county acted unlawfully and in bad faith.

The case will be heard May 8, 2014.

In an interview with Nation.co.ke, the majority leader said the assembly will not defend any member who is incompetent and fails to deliver as expected, adding that their main role is to keep the county government in check.

CHECKS AND BALANCES

“Our responsibility in the house is to provide necessary checks and balances. Therefore, the house will not defend anyone who has questionable integrity” he said.

Sources within the county assembly have told Nation.co.ke that five executive committee members are being investigated on various allegations levelled against them.

“We are investigating five members of the executive and the assembly is expected to debate their removal from office,” said a member who declined to be named.

Deputy speaker Mr Abubakar Mohamed said members are united for purposes of playing their oversight role in the house, refuting claims that they are now planning to impeach Governor Nathif Jama.

“What members are doing is a not a witch-hunting mission. We want to make sure that officers deliver the required services for the progress and development of our county,” he said.

Governor Jama enjoys the support and loyalty of the majority of the county assembly members. This might therefore make it hard for the MCAs to succeed in their quest to remove county executive members from office.