Activists urge County Assembly to reject nominee

Homa Bay, Tuesday June 6, 2023

KNA by Davis Langat

Activists in Homa Bay County have urged the County Assembly to reject one of the nominees for the position of Chief Officer.

Civil society activists Evans Oloo and Michael Kojo claimed one of the nominees due for vetting by the Assembly had been accused of engaging in graft and has not been cleared by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.

They said clearing the particular nominee for the position would taint the reputation of both the County Assembly and Homa Bay county government.

The activists claimed that the nominee should not be entrusted with the management of public resources.

They alleged that the nominee was among those who were involved in a Sh2.3 billion scandal in a previous appointment. “The petitioners invite the county assembly to counter check the track record of the nominee before making any decision,” the petition read in part.

Two weeks ago, Governor Gladys Wanga nominated 15 people to serve in her administration as Chief Officers.

In making the nominations, the Governor expressed optimism that they will ensure efficient service delivery to residents.

She then forwarded the list of nominees to County Assembly Speaker Julius Gaya after the County Public Service Board gave a green light for them to be vetted by the Members of County Assembly (MCAs).

Those nominated are Elijah Dede (Cooperative Development and marketing), Bernard Nyobange (Roads and Transport), Isaac Ongiri (Administration and Devolution), Hanington Day (Lands and Physical Planning), Collins Obango (Water and Sanitation), Charles Obondo (Housing and Urban Development) and Jack Obonyo (Blue Economy and Fisheries).

Others are Bernard Omwanda (Livestock), Judith Ombok (Gender and Women Empowerment), Wilson Ochola (Economic Planning), Maxwell Omenda(Irrigation), Caren Otieno (Public Communications), Ely Oketch(Investment), Diana Ongere (Mining) and Kennedy Ojala (Stakeholder Management).

According to the Governor, the nominees met the criteria stipulated in section 46 (1l) of the County Governments Act and had passed the integrity test as they were scrutinized on their public finance management capabilities.

The petitioners told Homa Bay MCAs that they were in possession of documents to back their opposition to the particular appointment. “We’ll present the documents to the vetting committee at the County Assembly to enable it make a sound judgment on the nominee,” Kojo added.

He warned that the nominee may misappropriate public funds should the county assembly approve the appointment.

The County Assebly’s Speaker Mr Julius Gaya has already notified MCAs of the vetting process. He directed different committees in the House to vet each nominee and report back within 21 days. 

Courtesy ; K. N. A