Kwale MCAs demand sacking of county official over flawed recruitment drive

Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya. Mvurya is accusing some individuals of plotting to oust him so that they can control mineral resources in the county. FILE PHOTO | LABAN WALLOGA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • He said the official had misled the County Public Service Board to continue with the recruitment process.
  • Nominated Ward Representative Suleiman Nzala seconded the Motion, saying it will send a signal to the executive that it is not business as usual.
  • He pleaded with the House to forgive Mr Mwaro instead of sacking him.

The Kwale County Assembly has given Governor Salim Mvurya 60 days to terminate the contract of County Secretary Martin Mwaro.

This came after the adoption of an August 4, report on the disputed village administrators’ recruitment by the committee on implementation.

The dispute emerged after MCAs stopped the recruitment on grounds that by advertising 68 positions instead of 77, the Village Administrative Bill had been violated.

Committee chairman Omar Kitengele, who moved the Motion of adoption before the assembly Thursday, accused Mr Mwaro of failing to discharge his mandate.

He said the official had misled the County Public Service Board to continue with the recruitment process.

“The County Secretary has failed to discharge his mandate. This has been a common trend. Therefore, we recommend that his contract be terminated,” he said.

Nominated Ward Representative Suleiman Nzala seconded the Motion, saying it will send a signal to the executive that it is not business as usual.

RESTORE RESPECT FOR ASSEMBLY

Kindondo MCA Juma Maone backed the move.

He said this is going to restore the respect of the assembly and improve accountability.

“Today, we are sending a clear message that whoever is not ready to follow the law should as well vacate office and create room for others,” he said.

However, Kasemeni Ward Representative Anthony Yama opposed his colleagues.

He pleaded with the House to forgive Mr Mwaro instead of sacking him.

Mr Yama said “the punishment would not only affect Mr Mwaro but also his family, which depends on him as he is the sole bread winner”.

“Since we started discussing this report, he has lost his father and uncle. My fear is that if his contract is terminated, something worse might happen,” he said.

However, Kinango MCA Salim Award responded angrily. He accused Mr Yama of trying to mislead the House.

Mr Award cautioned that more county officials would be sacked and whoever tried to protect them would be shown the door.

“If you talk of him having a family, we are also do. We cannot seat back and just watch as somebody else disregards our mandate,” he said.

Waa/Ng’ombeni Ward Representative Hidaya Fueda backed Mr Award, saying the assembly has been tolerant and it is time to take action.

Apart from the termination of the contract, the county government through the Public Service Board has also been given seven days to advertise the 77 positions.

County Public Service Board chairman Kassim Riga, Water executive Hemed Mwabudzo and Deputy Governor Fatuma Achani were summoned by the committee.

Ms Achani said the biggest problem with the Bill lies in the definition of boundaries.