By Johnson ChengoK
Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro has kicked out the Malindi Municipal Board with immediate effect after an outcry from the residents over uncollected garbages in the tourist town of Malindi and Watamu.
Addressing journalists at his residence in Kilifi, Mung’aro said the uncollected garbage that has lasted for more than three months has raised concerns, with residents complaining of the emergence of communicable diseases.
“I have ordered the departmental head concerned to pitch camp in Malindi and Watamu until the matter is solved. This is one of the core promises I made during my campaign to my people,” said Mung’aro.
The governor said that the Malindi dumpsite and the slaughterhouse will be relocated to an area far away from the town centres.
He also sacked the Municipality manager Assad Sheyumbe and appointed a new board in an acting capacity together with a new manager Johnson Mwabati, saying that the newly appointed manager’s task as he enters office will be to make sure Malindi and Watamu regain the beautiful faces.
The new board members are expected to be vetted by members of the County Assembly of Kilifi.
Among those shown the door include, the board Chairman Geoffery Katsole, Benjamin Sholo, Johnson Thoya, Rose Dama, Shehe Abdala, and Betty Munga.
Mung’aro said that their appointment has been revoked with immediate effect due to gross misconduct and urged them to surrender all government properties following the law.
The Governor nominated Suleiman Omar as Actin Board Chairman.
Members of the County Assembly led by Watamu MCA Ibrahim Matumbo and his Shella Ward counterpart Twahir Abdulkarim implored the governor to sack the board with immediate effect.
“The only solution to this problem is to request the governor to disband the board. They have failed in their job,” said. Matumbo.
