By Johnson Chengo
The Kilifi County government has named his executive team, sacking all chief officers who worked under former Governor Amason Kingi.
In his reorganization, Kilifi County Governor Gideon Mung’aro has sacked five county executive committees (CECs) who also worked under the former Kingi Regime, retaining the rest.
Those sent on also sent on terminal leave pending further communication on whether they would be needed or not include Prof. Josphat Mwatelah ((Roads), Prof. Gabriel Katana (Devolution, Public Service & Disaster Management), Kiringi Mwachitu (Water, Environment and Natural Resources), Nahida Mohamed (Trade and Tourism), and Luciana Sanzua (Agriculture).
In a statement read to journalists outside his office Yesterday, Mung’aro directed the Chief Officers to hand over and ensure they have exited the offices by Friday this week.
“Our people have previously been faced with many challenges in accessing services and enjoying the fruits of devolution, and I have today made a raft of changes as outlined below in the Kilifi County Executive, to enable my administration to deliver critical services and functions in a timely manner during this transition period,” said Mung’aro in a statement.
The County Chief, however, retained some CEC Members on what he termed as a temporary basis to pave way for the process of appointing new ones who must undergo vetting once MCAs are sworn in.
He also retained County Secretary Arnold Mkare for a period of six months and appointed the Directors of departments to serve as Chief Officers on a temporary basis as he developed up with his own team.
“In the Office of the County Attorney I have appointed Advocate Henry Faraji Chipinde, the County Solicitor, to serve as the Acting County Attorney, following the expiry of the contract of the previous office holder,” he said.
The previous holder of the office of the County Attorney was Bibi Fondo.
The CEC Members who survived the axe include Dr. Anisa Omar who was given the mandate to serve as County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Social Services, and Culture & Sports and hold a brief in Water, Environment, Natural Resources & Forestry – Agriculture, Livestock Development & Fisheries.
The Governor also retained the current Health CEC member Charles Dadu and appointed him to temporarily hold briefs in Roads, Public Works & Transport – Trade, Tourism & Co-operative Development, while. Racheal Musyoki was temporarily appointed to serve as the County Executive Committee Member for Education & ICT and hold a brief in the Department of Devolution, Public Service & Disaster Management.
Mung’aro however, tasked Maureen Mwangovya to serve as the County Executive Committee Member for Lands, Energy, and Housing & Urban Development and hold briefs in the Department of Finance & Economic Planning.
“I have appointed Advocate Henry Faraji Chipinde, the County Solicitor, to serve as the Acting County Attorney, following the expiry of the contract of the previous office holder. In order to ensure continuity in the Office of the County Secretary & Head of the Public Service; I have extended the contract for the current office holder, Arnold Mkare for a further period of six (6) months, who will also serve as the Accounting Officer of all County Departments in accordance with Section 31 (c) of the County Governments Act, 2012,” he said.
Mung’aro said since the contracts of all Chief Officers had expired he appointed directors to perform the functions of Chief Officers pending the recruitment and appointment of the same.
Those appointed include Elijah Kuta (Department of Roads, Public Works & Transport), Ayore Ongiri – Department of Devolution, Public Service & Disaster Management, David Mulewa –Department of Health Services, Wilberforce Katumo – Department of Finance & Economic Planning, Eng. James Thubu, Water, Environment, Natural Resources & Forestry.
Others are John Ziro Department of Agriculture, Livestock & Fisheries, Eric Randu Lands, Energy, Housing & Urban Development, Cyrilus Mwangome – Gender, Social Services, Culture & Sports, Mary Kabani – Trade, Tourism & Co-operative Development, and . Eddystella Nthiiri – Education & ICT.
“It is my expectation and that of the great people of Kilifi County, that these officers shall undertake their assignments with utmost diligence and commitment.” said Mung’aro.
He congratulated all those who have assumed new roles, wished them success, and assured them of the necessary support in the discharge of their duties.
“For those whose terms of contracts have ended, on behalf of the people of Kilifi, I extend my gratitude for your service and wish them the very best in their future endeavors,” he said.
He reaffirmed that his administration will remain open to working with those who will be competitively recruited to serve in various capacities as and when the opportunities arise.
The Changes come even as the governor assumed his duties after he was sworn into office last week taking over from the former Regime of Governor Amason Kingi who completed his second and final term in office.
All eyes are now on the new Administration led by Mung’aro with a view to delivering to the people of Kilifi as promised during his campaign through his manifesto.
