A standoff between Governor Joseph Lenku and Kajiado County Assembly is in the offing following the County Cabinet reshuffle that has attracted a political backlash.
Early this week, Governor Lenku reshuffled his 11-member County Executive Committee (CECM), the County Secretary and Chief officers. In the adjustments, the governor retained some of his close allies with some thrown under the bus prompting outcry.
Mr. Alias Kisota and Alex Kilowua, Lenku’s close allies, retained Finance & Economic Planning and Medical Services & Public Health respectively.
Dr. Jacton Achola was moved from the Agriculture Livestock & Veterinary Services Fisheries & Irrigation docket to the Roads Public Works Transport & Energy, whereas Dr Leina Mpoke was moved from the water docket to the County Secretary position in an acting capacity.
Also affected by the new changes were Chief officers, with the County Treasury hit hard after the County boss returned Mr Sankare Tima to the Finance helm replacing long-serving CO Mr Lekina Tutui who was moved to the water department in the same capacity.
The Kajiado County Assembly Majority Leader Mr John Loisa on Thursday tabled a motion seeking the nullification of the appointment of Chief Officer in the Department of Finance Mr Sankaire Tima who held the same post during Governor Lenku’s first term but was ousted following protests.
When moving the motion, Mr Loisa termed the County Treasury as a pivotal beacon for the county requiring a professional individual with a clean record from corruption and chest-thumping nature.
“We are opposed to the appointment of a Finance Chief Officer nominee. His professional conduct, revenue performance, audit reports, and interpersonal skills are wanting,“ said Dalalekutuk MCA.
He added that the nominee has a track record of repeatedly failing to comply with County Assembly procedures and showing a lack of cooperation in financial matters, leading to frustration and inefficiency.
The MCAs accused the nominee of ineptness under his previous tenure, when the county experienced a severe decline in revenue, with a 36.3% decrease overall and a 37% drop in local collections for FY 2019/20.
The MCA said numerous audit queries were raised during his tenure, including unsupported county revenue, non-compliance with revenue collection procedures, undocumented payments, and unsupported insurance and imprest transactions.
“We urge the Governor to drop the ‘dictatorial’ nominee. The assembly will censure the Controller of Budget,” the ward rep charged
The same sentiments were echoed by MCAs Benard Moloma (Kenyawa Poka), James Mbiriri (Ngong), Joseph Tori(Uwaso Kedong), Joseph Mutunke (IIdamat), Amos Solitei (Keekonyokie) among others MCAs terming the reshuffle as a “sham” exercise that was politically instigated.
MCAs reiterated their Commitment to ensuring accountability and transparency in the county’s leadership remains unwavering.
The new standoff has exposed frosty relationship existing between the Executive and Assembly leaving Governor Lenku at the receiving end.
