Vihiga
By James Kabole
Vihiga Governor has suspended two chief officers in the health ministry for their involvement in the controversial hiring of 528 health workers whose appointed was revoked by the County Public Service Board.
The two, Dr Arnold Mamadi (Medical Services) and Clement Manyulu (Public Health) are suspected to have influenced the recruitment process as well as employment of their cronies and relatives.
Some of those recruited didn’t have the requisite requirements but secured plum something that left Governor Wilbur Ottichilo with an egg in his face following a public outcry.
A source close ally of Governor Ottichilo claimed that investigations will now focus on how the suspended officers colluded with the former County Public Service Board in demanding hefty kickbacks from the recruits before being given the plum jobs despite having questionable academic credentials.
“The Governor is an unhappy man after his list of his preferred recruits for senior positions in the health docket was not taken into consideration by the two officers. Their fate has already been sealed and their names have been forward to EACC for further probing,” claimed the source.
The Governor’s ally claimed that he (Ottichilo) suspended the chief officers as a way of shedding the tag of being a lame duck governor given that his key decisions are made by Chief of Staff Noah Okaya, who has been nicknamed the de facto governor.
Governor Ottichilo while suspending the duo noted that the health workers have been paid their dues up to October 2019 after a supplementary budget was passed.
“The Governor is an unhappy man after his list of his preferred recruits for senior positions in the health docket was not taken into consideration by the two officers. Their fate has already been sealed and their names have been forward to EACC for further probing,” claimed the source.
In a raft of measures to improve efficiency in the county, Ottichilo reshuffled his cabinet and those who have been seen as being rebellious to his adminstration were moved to less prestigious dockets.
Ottichilo moved Pamela Kimwele, the Agriculture CEC to Public Service. Prof. Justus Inonda was moved from the Environment Water Energy and Natural Resources docket to Transport and Infrastructure.
Paul Mbuni moved from Public Service to Lands, Housing and Physical planning whereas Henry Lumbasio moved from Transport and Infrastructure to Education, Science and Technology which was being held by Marita Agufana who has been moved to the Environment docket.
Elvuna Keseko moves from Lands, Housing and Physical planning to Trade, Industry, Tourism and Enterprenuship while Geoffrey Vukaya moves from Trade to Agriculture. Dr. Amos Kutwa, a close ally of Dr Ottichilo retained the Health services docket.
Dr. Patrick Saisi, who enjoys frosty relationship with Governor Ottichilo,save for public PR
Ottichilo also moved chief officers to other dockets like Gilbert Vidija moved from Public Service to Trade, Dr. Richard Boiyo retained the Environment docket and was named as the acting in Medical services chief officer.
Livingstone Imbayi retains Finance docket. Dominic Luvavo moved to Sports and now acting chief officer for water.Mary Anyienda retained the ECDE docket and now is the acting in Public Health chief officer.
Pamela Busungu retained Agriculture as well as Lucy Ijai retained his Lands docket.Philip Gavuna moves from Trade to Public Service and also the Acting County Secretary.Etale Tunya retained Transport and Infrastructure.
Abisai Amatalo retained TVET and name acting ICT chief officer.Chysostom Agava was moved from sports to Cooperatives and his earlier suspension lifted.
Ends
