Isiolo Governor Kuti says ghost workers burdening county

New Isiolo Governor Mohamed Kuti takes oath of office at Isiolo Stadium on August 23, 2017. He pledged to clean the “mess” left behind by the former county administration. PHOTO | PHOEBE OKALL | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Dr Kuti and his Deputy Ibrahim Abdi Issa were sworn in by Justice Mary Kasango.
  • The governor said the ghost workers are making the county to incur a huge wage bill.
  • Former Governor Godana Doyo who was earlier invited to the function failed to attend.

Isiolo Governor Mohamed Kuti Wednesday took oath of office calling for financial and human resource audit to clean the “mess” left behind by the former administration.

In his inauguration speech on Wednesday, Dr Kuti said the county is burdened by heavy pending bills amounting to Sh1 billion and existence of 1,000 ghost workers.

Those who graced the colourful ceremony included Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed, Council of Governors (CoG) Chairman Josphat Nanok, Garissa Township MP Aden Duale, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Chairman Eliud Wabukala, the commission’s deputy CEO Michael Mubea, outgoing Isiolo Deputy Governor Mohamed Gulleid, two senators, 10 elected MPs and 15 MCAs from Isiolo and Nairobi counties.

Dr Kuti and his Deputy Ibrahim Abdi Issa were sworn in by Justice Mary Kasango who was assisted by Isiolo Chief Magistrate Samuel Mungai.

GHOST WORKERS

The governor said the ghost workers are making the county to incur a huge wage bill and pilling pressure on the meagre resources that Isiolo receives from the national government.

“I will ensure that my administration will fulfil all the pledges we made while traversing the county for votes,” said Dr Kuti who also called on elected leaders to work together.

Former Governor Godana Doyo who was earlier invited to the function failed to attend the inauguration but his deputy handed over the seal of the county government, symbol of power and the flag to the new administration.

Mr Guleid who was contesting with Governor Kuti in the just concluded election admitted that the former administration failed to involve other leaders in development and failed to deliver owing to a tug of war with the county assembly.

Mr Duale said MPs are ready to work with governors and other arms of government in making devolution a success.

On the presidential petition, Mr Duale said Jubilee will respect and abide by the Supreme Court decision.