Four top West Pokot officials sent home for ‘failing in job’

West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin has made good his threat to sack non-performing executives.

Mr Kachapin has sent home County Secretary Joel Arimonyang, and executives Catherine Mukenyang (health and sanitation), Luka Chepelion (roads) and Josiah Cheruiyot (livestock and fisheries).

He also reshuffled his executive team due to what he termed “incompetence and poor services” by officials.

The action by the governor comes after a public outcry over unsatisfactory performance of officials and demands by county assembly members that they be sacked. Mr Kachapin on Monday issued a statement announcing his decision, which he took after the executives “failed in their duties”.

“We need people who can deliver services to the people of West Pokot. There is no room for laxity and every county employee must deliver without fail,” said the governor.

“I have taken the decision after the public complained a lot about the four,” he said.

Mr Kachapin also directed the County Public Service Board to advertise the position of county secretary immediately.

LARGER MINISTRY

The governor merged the Public Services docket and the education and information and communication technology ministry. This has resulted in a larger ministry of education, information and communication technology and public administration.

Mr David Alekulim is the new executive for the expanded ministry, whose chief officer will be recruited by the public service board.

The county boss also established a ministry of inter-government co-ordination, peace-building and disaster management.

“I have established the ministry following recent clashes, and emergencies such as hunger, fires, drought, lightning and floods,” said Mr Kachapin.

The ministry will be headed by Deputy Governor Titus Lotee.

Mr Kachapin also strengthened the co-ordination of services by creating the position of deputy county secretary.

“The official will help in managing day-to-day operations and co-ordinating activities in the county,” said Mr Kachapin.

The ministry of agriculture and irrigation and that of livestock, veterinary services and fisheries have also been merged. The county now has the ministry of agriculture, livestock and irrigation.

The governor also created two new positions in the ministry of health and sanitation, the director of medical services and the director of public health and sanitation, “to strengthen the effective administration and management of health services”.

Mr Joel Ng’olekong, the finance and economic planning executive, will also be in charge of the health docket in an acting capacity.

The governor redeployed the county director of health and medical services to the Kacheliba Sub-County Hospital.

The chief officer for sports and culture, Mr Moses Kales, will also be redeployed.

Mr Kachapin directed the investigation of chief officers H. Lumasya, Michael Mureithi, George Alwai and Mr Eliud Sirorei for alleged misue of funds.