Elders drawn from various communities in Trans Nzoia County have condemned those behind the case filed in court against vetting and approval of the recently appointed Trans Nzoia Chief Officers.
Led by former Webuye Member of Parliament Hon. Joash Wamang’oli, who is the Director of Cohesion in Trans Nzoia County, the elders appreciated Governor George Natembeya for consideration he made while appointing the CEC and Chief Officers, saying he did the excellent work compared to the previous administration.
Wamang’oli challenged those behind the petition to withdraw the case, saying this will hinder developments as Chief Officers are the accountants of the various departments in the county.
Addressing the media in Kitale, Wamang’oli further called on elected leaders to stop inciting the public on the creation of the counties, saying Trans Nzoia people and their neighbors need peace.
Mzee Yohana Lochwaa Ekiru, another elder, asked employees of the previous government who didn’t manage to get the positions they intended to not to frustrate Natembeya’ s administration as it was not a must for them to continue enjoying the county cake.
“You wanted the Governor to recycle all of you in his government? Please, be satisfied with the positions that your community has been rewarded. Do not demand more positions by fire by force, that’s not how to ask for the job,” said Yohana Ekiru.
Last week, some individuals went to court to stop the vetting and approval of the Chief Officers citing that it was not regionally balanced.
Natembeya had appointed former Kwanza MP George Kaptein’s son Philip Kaptein Chief Officer in charge of Lands while Cherang’any Sub-county administrator Dorothy Nyukuri was appointed Chief Officer in charge of Environment, Water and Climate change.
George Mwangi was appointed Chief Officer Public Works as Dr. Emmanuel Wanjala took over the Department of Health. Kennedy Etyang was put in charge of Public Service Management while Sammy Sichangi moved to the governor’s office as chief officer.
Jane Masika Wachwenge, a PWD, was picked Chief Officer Education while CPA Aston Mulupi was picked Chief Officer Finance and Economic Planning.
Patrick Osoro Okong’o and Isaac Omar Ndiema were picked chief officers of Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock, Fisheries, Trade, Industrialization, Tourism and Cooperative Development respectively.
Governor Natembeya also picked Dr. Roselyne Nasiebanda as Chief Officer Gender, Youth, Sports and Culture.
Mike Musungu is a reporter at Radio Simba in Bungoma and a correspondent of Trans Nzoia County for the Western Kenya Times.
