The battle lines have been drawn for the race to occupy the hot Kwale county clerk seat that has for the longest time been left to deputy clerk Fatuma Mwalupa in an acting capacity.
Nine candidates have shown interest in the job and are set to be interviewed by the Kwale County assembly board on Friday 14 July 2023 at the assembly complex building.
Among those who have been shortlisted are Denis Musyoka Mutui, Fatuma Mwalupa, Mwamleu Nyanje, Suleiman Lugogo, Ganzala Chiponda, Joseph Chaka John, Ummulkulthum Musa Yeya, Aruko Harrydone, Harrison Munga Chirongo and Mkare Jefwa.
It is not clear who will be the next county assembly clerk after the exit of Denis Mutui the first clerk and Hamisi Dzila during the reign of speaker Sammy Ruwa.
Will deputy clerk Fatuma Mwalupa be elevated to clerk position after serving in an acting capacity? Or will Denis Musyoka make a comeback?
Kwale residents have raised concerns over claims that a section f county assembly members are doing everything possible to ensure former Kilifi county secretary Arnold Mkare takes over the position.
According to Bonny Kenyah, it will be disastrous to have Kwale locals who qualify for the position left out at the expense of other people.
“Why are we taking our children to schools if they cannot be given a chance to take such positions? We have parents who do everything possible including looking for bursaries to have their children get an education so that they can be employed and give back to their community. Why do you give bursaries if you can go to Kilifi to look for someone to be the clerk in Kwale while your constituents have the capability? Posed Bonny in a post at Kwale County government information centre.
He claimed that a certain third-term MCA who wants to be Kinango MP is working closely with a few other members to ensure Jefwa is employed at the expense of Kwale locals.
His post elicited debate among Kwale locals with some supporting his argument while others criticizing him for being tribal.
The Kwale county assembly last month passed the 2023-2024 budget estimate setting aside Sh500 million for a bursary kitty that will see more children sponsored in secondary, college and universities to study.
In an interview with several county assembly staff Coast Times learnt that they are optimistic, there will be a change in the position of clerk.
“The first clerk was the only person who cared about workers’ welfare the rest have been doing their things, we hope he gets back and take it over from where he left off. We have suffered a lot after his exit,’ said a source.
Another source said that it is a matter of time before the county assembly has a new face that will ensure the welfare of the assembly members and the staff is considered.
“We have been working without morale for a long time and we hope that the new clerk will do what Denis did to us,’ said the source.
