Anxiety among Narok County staff as Tunai takes office

Narok Governor Samuel ole Tunai displays his inauguration certificate at Narok Stadium on August 21, 2017. Anxiety has gripped Narok County staff as Tunai is expected to make changes. PHOTO | GEORGE SAYAGIE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Casualties could include those who openly campaigned for the governor’s opponents in the recent election.
  • A county official said the most affected could be executives and chief officers.
  • Mr Tunai pledged to protect and advance the hopes and aspirations of Narok people.

Anxiety has gripped Narok County staff who are now awaiting their fate as Governor Samuel ole Tunai returns to office for his second term after a hotly contested election.

In his inaugural speech on Monday, the governor indicated that he would make major changes in his government, with the agriculture, education and investment sectors getting priority in the next five years.

Those close to the governor’s office have indicated that a number of executives might not make it back due to under-performance in the last term.

CASUALTIES

Casualties could include those who openly campaigned for the governor’s opponents in the recent election.

“Reports that the top administration was planning a purge the workforce to streamline services and inject new talent has left everyone anxious, but we are here waiting,” said the source.

A county official who sought anonymity said the most affected could be executives and chief officers.

Mr Tunai is among governors who took over office on Monday, pledging to transform their counties and fight corruption.

He had indicated that he was in the process of reconstituting his cabinet whose members will be selected based on merit.

PRIORITIES

Mr Tunai promised to prioritise value addition in agricultural products, build industries, provide farm inputs to farmers, buy more milk coolers and bolster education in the county during his second term in office.

The governor is set to host the second Narok County investment conference in November, which provides an opportunity to showcase opportunities in the region to investors.

Mr Tunai pledged to protect and advance the hopes and aspirations of Narok people by ensuring that no funds are wasted under his watch.

He said he will set up a public watchdog that will work independently to monitor how resources are utilised.