Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka on Monday, kicked out four senior officers from County offices in a contraversial move that has shocked residents.
Mr. Lusaka sent the four chief officers on “compulsory leave” for what he termed “contravening his first executive order” and “engaging in unauthorized expenditure.”
In a press post published on his official Facebook page, Mr. Lusaka state that the said officers were involved in unauthorised expenditure despite an executive order barring them from doing so.
The affected officers send on compulsory leave included Patrick Wandili (Urban Planning who was also acting in Health), Maurice Marango – (Energy and was also acting in Roads and Public Works), Rose Murunga (Education and Vocational Training) and Abidan Kapchanga (Industrialization and was also acting in Public Service and Management docket).
“Among the unauthorized expenditure they got involved in despite the executive order stopping them included high personnel emoluments, high pending bills, unclear gratuity, pension and unreconciled payment for Scholarships.”
Lusaka had issued an executive order during his take over that no expenditure was to be made unless it was mandatory, budgeting and planning programs sanctioned by himself.
This was to allow a proper audit by three task forces on human resource, pending bills and the county scholarships program that is ongoing.
Mr. Lusaka, who was the first Governor for Bungoma County before being replaced by Wycliffe Wangamati, has now appointed four officers to replace the affected ones.
Acting Chief Officer in charge of Health will be Isaac Aruput while Roads and Public Works will be led by Moses Sichei.
George Kombo will be double-act as Chief Officer – Education, Vocational Training, and Physical and Urban Planning.
Stephen Makhanu will act as Chief Officer, Public Service Management while Denson Barasa will be acting Chief Officer – Energy and Industrialization.
“During their compulsory leave, the officers will be required to avail themselves shade light whenever called upon by the investigation team without fail,” said Lusaka.
Our efforts to each out to the affected officers were unsuccessful due to a connection hitch.
This comes barely a week before the County Chief names his Cabinet.
According to the Director of Communication, Mr. John Nalianya, Mr. Lusaka is expected to name his County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) on Monday next week.
“His Excellency the Governor, is expected to name his Cabinet next week and it will be communicated to the public as always,” said the former The Star newspaper correspondent, in a telephone interview with WakajuanessLive.Com.