New revenue structure as Kuyu purges officials

By Martin Masai 

The fate of top 10 revenue officers hangs in the balance after a second purge in the department by Finance Minister Onesmas Muia Kuyu.

        Ms. Zipporah Mutunga

Mr Kuyu (C) at the handing over event in his office on Tuesday 

In the first purge in February, Kuyu instituted a mass transfer of revenue officers as he deployed over 400 newly recruited ones in a move that embarrassed the department after the top brass found themselves with transfers letters to markets.

In the current purge, 9 senior revenue officers who served as Subcounty Revenue Officers ((SROs) and their director David Kakonzi are awaiting deployment as most of them complete nearly 2 months at home. Mr Kakonzi was replaced by Mr. William Otieno as Director of Revenue.

Kuyu has also created a new revenue structure where Ward Revenue Officers report, for the first time, to Ward Administrators and through to Sub County Administrators.

 Even then, The Anchor has been informed that these sets off officials are supervised by  Cordinators who are yet to appear within the county establishment, meaning that county revenue could be managed under a political framework. The coordinators are Governor Wavinya's foot soldiers who wield powers in the County.

The purge was ordered by Mr Kuyu and first executed by Mr Kakonzi. A letter seen by The Anchor that was copied to the 9 officials ordered them to report to then Revenue Chief Officer  Jace Senga the next morning. 

After they reported, they were guided to take their outstanding leave days to avoid occupying the parking yard of the County Headquarters where they kept idlying. " They took 20, 30 to 60 days, and the leaves are ending on May 28,2024" said a source at the revenue office yesterday. The expiry of the leave days now puts pressure on the department to make a decision on where to place them. 

When reached for comment, Mr Kuyu distanced himself from their recall, saying that his responsibility over the department  only revolves around policy issues. However, The Anchor established that Kuyu is the architect of the purge. Apart from posting directives on a wall with colleagues, the minister bragged at a meeting in Matuu " I have not only removed the thieves but indeed cut down the big tree", a reference he makes about Mr Senga, who was recently removed to become Chief Officer- Public Engagement.

Observers see the deployment of Senga as a mockery of a chief officer who shared his office with two other officials because he regarded  his work as public engagement. 

As he distanced himself from the predicament of the SROs, Kuyu referred The Anchor to Mr Senga, who handed over the docket to new Revenue Chief Officer-Ms Zipporah Mutunga on Tuesday,May 21, 2024.

County stops staff deployments

By Martin Masai                                 

Machakos County government has halted deployment of staff without the authority of the county secretary Dr Muya Ndambuki.

The clampdown comes as over enthusiastic Chief Officers embarked on frequent tranfers to flex their authority, particularly within the ministry of finance.

" Effective immediately, do not issue any deployment letters until further notice from this office" ordered Dr Ndambuki, who also is the Head of the County Public Service. 

The letter to all Chief Officers went on " Please prepare a report of all deployed officers by your offices from August 2022 todate, including name,  date of employment, position at employment, position deployed as, location, date of deployment (and) name of supervisor after deployment ". The reports were due on June 10, 2024. We were not able to verify compliance with this edict.

The order comes as revenue officers were being moved again after an initial shake-up that followed the employment of over 400 officials.

The order by Dr. Ndambuki comes as nine senior revenue officials of the Machakos County Government are holding their breaths as they end three months without assignment.

Sources within the governor's office say the memo from Ndambuki was initially contemplated when Director of Enforcement Francis Munyambu ordered transfers of 11 enforcement officers within a week of his appointment- meaning he knew very little about the department.

The letter by Munyambu,purporting to be Chief Officer for Inspectorate  Enforcement and Fire Fighting, was curiously signed for him by his son, who, incidentally, is the Deputy Commander of the County Inspectorate!

At the time, the CO'S office was vacant after its occupant- Col(Rtd) Mbithi Wathi was moved to the Innovation docket after a physical encounter with Majority Leader Nicholas Nzioka at the Devolved Units offices.

Dr.Ndambuki the swiftly  appointed Mercy Mutua to act as CO and halted the transfers. A recruitment process for a chief officer is currently under way, and Munyambu, a former Nairobi police chief and senator aspirant for Machakos, is billed to take the post.

The CS sent the memo to halt new deployment as the new Chief Officer for Revenue Collection Zipporah Mutunga, and the new Director of Revenue Otieno Otieno went around the Sub Counties introducing the newly deployed officials.

The nine officials were recalled from their stations without any reason provided. The Anchor has established that Finance Minister Onesmus Kuya had identified them as the reason the county was unable to raise its Kes 4 bn own Revenue target.

" He gave us no reason. He remained adamant that they must go, along with former Chief Officer Mike Senga, so that he has complete control in revenuecollection, " said a colleague of Kuyu who prefers to remain unnamed.

Mr Kuyu told the Anchor that the officials' fate is in the hands of the CS. " He is the one who deploys public servants, not me," he said.

An inquiry by The Anchor at the County Public Service Board found that the county establishment still has the position of Senior Revenue Officers (SROs)- whose role is clearly described. 

This flies in the face of claims by Mr Kuyu in a WhatsApp post to officials that the post and level of SROs (Senior Revenue Officers) has been temporarily suspended.

Since the recall, the role is performed by Ward Administrators and  Coordinators.The cordinators are cadre of political operatives that Governor Wavinya Ndeti is still trying to fit into her government as a reward to their loyalty during her campaigns. 

Both groups do not have any training or knowledge on revenue collection.

Since the recall, one of the officials has since retired.The other officials, who are permanent and pensionable, are also nearing retirement. They await their fate with each new day.Sources say the officials routinely show their faces at the County Headquarters to remind officialdom that they are still waiting out there.

Updated:Questions as Governor Wavinya suspends Chief Officer

Ex teacher swiftly forced out 

By The Anchor Reporter

 Ms. Maureen Mwende, the Chief officer for Education has been suspended.

She becomes the 4th Chief Officer to leave  Governor Wavinya Ndeti's administration even if temporarily. Her exit comes within weeks of the departure of Decentralized Units Minister Joyce Mwikali Muindi who was excluded from a cabinet reshuffle that left her replaced by Dr Joel Nzomo.

Ms. Maureen Mwende

She was sent home in a rumbling communication to her by the County Secretary Dr.Muya Ndambuki headlined: "Notice to Show Cause"

The memo is believed to have been authored at the behest of Governor Wavinya,  given the latest trends in the county.

 The memo accuses the ex teacher of failing to attend critical county meetings and failure to to provide direction as Chief Officer. No specific reason was cited in her 'failures'. She was then required to show cause why administrative action should not be taken against her. It concluded by asking her to "proceed on suspension till further notice".

Yesterday, the Chief Officer for Vocational Training Mr Stephen Mutua was appointed to act as Chief Officer for Education.

So what reasons heralded her suspension?. Last Tuesday, Mwende skipped a meeting with Governor Wavinya as she attended to an accident she was involved in at Kyumbi Police Station. It was a carry over meeting from the previous day where her turn to brief the governor in the company of her minister Dr Consolata Mutisya aborted at the Governor's Kinanye residence.

It is unknown what exactly transpired at the briefing she missed. Rumours about her suspension begun swirling in the County shortly after the meeting but it was not until Friday when the memo reached her.

So what grave mistakes did she commit,grave enough to trigger her suspension and not clear enough to be clearly stated?

How many meetings has Mwende missed; what are the decisions that are pending as a result of her alleged failure to give directions as Chief Officer?

Updates coming. Stay Anchored.

Do MCAs trade without paying fees and licences?

Events unfolding in the past week in the County Government of Machakos are sending worrying signals to residents.

What begun as a question on use of millions of money in the rehabilitation of dams and the selection of contractors has mutated into despicable sideshows.

Rather than respond to querries on how much was used on the dams, the contractors deployed and the process used, governor Wavinya Ndeti responded angrily be stating that she will not be intimidated by anyone and added that her critics were cry babies who missed out on the contracts.

While it is true that Francis Ngunga, the MCA for Mua Ward is a contractor who previously executed contracts under Governor Alfred Mutua's administration, it has not been confirmed that he bid and missed tenders under Wavinya.

Be that as it may, there is a growing din of relentless questioning on the rehabilitation of approximately 80 dams that are alleged to have been done by contractors of Somali extraction, carrying out questionable works and being paid promptly and handsomely. It is alleged that the tenders are dispensed with between Finance Minister Muia Kuyu, Director of Procurement Mr Kekee Mathuki and a behind- the- shadows young man who works without an official title but has warm space in the inner sanctum of the Office of the Governor.

The Anchor has put the question to the Governor's Chief of Staff and no answers have been provided. Sample the question: " To debunk lies, propaganda or misinformation, can the Machakos County Government publish a list of all dams done under Gvn Ndeti, complete with name, address of contractors, amount used and current status?"

Wavinya herself has been reported as questioning why dams are being rehabilitated or constructed to the tune of Kes 40m.

Besides, the national procurement authority has entered the fray to probe the procurement of the 80 dams that cost over Kes 300 million- and therefore it is not a matter.

 Wavinya will brush aside easily.

While Ngunga's may have been a legitimate concern, it could also be that he was speaking over sore grapes🍇.

But what is callous to the extreme is the deployment of a battery of officials from the Works, revenue, public health, Liqour,water, trade and physical planning- escorted by a formation of County Enforcement Askaris to frisk Ngunga's businesses to establish whether he pays County dues.

The raid came at a time no single business in the County has a 2024 authorization to trade by way of required licensing. Indeed all traders are currently preparing to pay up. Those selling liquor like Ngunga have upto January 22 to have inspections done ahead of licensing. 

It is instructive that the raid or inspection was as selective as it was targeted to only one person; Francis Ngunga. No other business premises was 'inspected' that day. At the school, the Askaris reportedly whisked away a teacher, setting an unprecedented intervention in the education sector.

The Anchor was unable to establish if the two premises had licences for 2023. Some county sources say Ngunga had licences for 2023 while others say he did not show them any. The two positions cannot be true at the same time.  This shows that the county staff is so immersed in politics that the truth may remain obfuscated.

Nevertheless, Ngunga was hauled to the County Court to answer charges of trading without a licence. 

It is the newest turmoil after a chaotic  shake-up of the Revenue department that has seen revenue uncollected as staff struggle to report to new stations.

The raid on Ngunga has not settled quite well with some elected leaders in the County who see themselves as the next targets should they raise fingers against Wavinya.

It could also be a pointer to the question whether MCAs pay licences and fees that they pass in the County Assembly to be paid by their voters. 

What is alarming is the decision to deploy the county Askaris to raid a critic's business. Is the unit serving in the county's best intrest or has become a personal militia? Who deployed the team?

 All blame appears to be directed to the Machakos County Chief of Staff Lawrence Ngovi.

Ngunga accused the COS of witch hunt, an allegation that Ngovi instantly the rubbished, terming Ngunga's utterances as mere noise,maintaing that he has nothing to do with the on going public health and revenue department crackdown.

Even then,Ngovi went ahead to rub in that all the stipulated guidelines for business primises should be met and people should stop politicising issues especially when they are on the wrong side of the law.

He maintained that no one is above the law and those raids are regular exercises that are done to make sure that all business entities in the County have adhered to the set guidelines and standards.

Ndeti's ministers, advisors in training

Machakos County Executive Committee Members (CEC's) and Advisors to Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti today started a 5-day Induction at the Kenya School of Government (KSG), Nairobi. 

Gvn Ndeti's CECMs and advisors

The induction is to build capacity of the Executive arm of Government and enhance efficiency in service delivery. 

Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi officially Opened the Induction Workshop on the governor's behalf.

The training will equip the CECM's and Advisors with knowledge about government operations, functions and practices, as well as other information critical in the execution of their mandates.

Turmoil in Machakos Land Registry

 

Public Participation key to devolution, says Malombe

Kitui Governor Dr. Julius Malombe (EGH)  said today that his administration will engage the residents on key issues of concern to their well being in his second term in office.

Gov Malombe addressing top officials of his administration 

While addressing the cabinet members,  county government administrators and other Senior county government officials earlier today during the Community Level Infrastructure Development Programme  (CLIDP), Pro poor fees support and Sand dams programme briefing in readiness for public participation on Thursday and Friday this week at KEFRI in Kitui town, the governor said the involvement of citizens in the day to day running of Government encourages ownership of programmes, enhances checks and balances and enhances service delivery at the grassroots.

"This is one of the most important developmental intervention programmes my government will undertake this financial year." He said.

The county chief also called on Kitui people to turn up for the public Participation to give their input noting it was their constitutional right.

Thursday meetings will take place at the village level while on Friday the discussions will be held at the ward level for validations.

Kitui's KITWASCO Board Replaced

 

By Gabriel Ndeleva

Governorspress@gmail.com

Friday , March 12, 2021

Kitui Water and Sanitation Company, (KITWASCO) today replaced its  entire Board of Directors

The board has been in place since KITWASCO's inception in 2006.

Kitui County Secretary Dr Chepchieng addresses the session

 During its 4 th Annual General Meeting a new board, under a fresh  Memorandum and Articles of Association was installed.

The new board has representatives from all the Sub Counties under the jurisdiction of KITWASCO including Machakos area.

The new board representatives are; Catherine Nzila- Kitui west, Augustus Mulwa- Kitui South ,Dr. Grace Mutua - SEKU, Peter Wambua - Kitui Rural, Saidi Mutia-Kitui South, David Musau-Kitui East, Gustus Mutio-Kitui East, Harrison Nyumu- Kitui Central, Stanley Mangeli- Masinga and Queen Masila, Kitui south.

The County Secretary Dr. Joshua Chepchieng ratified the new board’s appointment and wished them well as they discharge  their responsibilities. He reminded them that community service is a privilege and not a source of pride, and urged them to serve selflessly.

The water CECM Mr Meshack Muthusi challenged the new board to implement the company’s five themes of the company's strategic plan of Water & Infrastructure Development, Operational Efficiency, Customer Satisfaction, Financial Sustainability, Institutional Development Strengthening and ensuring Effective Corporate Governance.

The Managing Director Mr Geoffrey Kitonga thanked the County Government of Kitui, Water Sector Trust Fund and other people of goodwill for the assistance in handling extra costs incurred during the Covid-19 period, and expressed the company’s focus on reducing non-revenue water which currently stands at 54 percent to 39 percent  this year.

The company has also moved its operations from the sewer treatment plant in Manyenyoni, under the advice of public health officials, to their new offices near the Governor's office.

How County Governments will work

 CIVIC EDUCATION

How National and County

Governments will operate

By Julius M. Malombe

The National Government is, among other functions, charged with the responsibility for national policy, national standards, regulation, national public works, national statistics, macroeconomic management, foreign affairs, defence and natural re-sources (Fourth Schedule)

Key strides in Machakos Town

Major upgrade 

in Machakos Town

A street currently being recarpetted

 By Jonathan Mutiso
The Municipal Council of Machakos is pushing on with a major upgrade that is changing the face of the town.The programme will, among other things, see all properties and streets within the Central Business District named and addressed. It will also leave the entire CBD paved, street parking lots marked and cleaned.

Relief Food. DC Interdicted

Kibwezi DC on forced

leave over relief food

By Nguma Kitone

KIBWEZI DC  Mike Kimoko is on interdiction over alleged theft of relief food.

Projects Stall in Mwala

Work stalls on three

key Mwala projects

 By Anchor Correspondent

 

Construction work on three development projects funded by the government to the tune of Sh 32 million in Mwala district has stalled.

Kengen Boss in land tussle

Ex-minister Mbathi

trapped in land tussle

 

By Martin Masai

FORMER Cabinet Minister Titus Mbathi is embroiled in a tussle that exposes his illegal occupation of someone’s land and possible conflict of interest.

Syokimau demolitions: Exposing the rot

Syokimau demolitions: Mavoko land woes... 

Exposed!

 

By Anchor Reporters

The demolitions of hundreds of homes at Syokimau area of Athi River District in Machakos County  could just be a tip of the iceberg in the region, The Anchor reveals

The Anchor Page One

The Anhor October 2011 Land Scandal at Mavoko

MAIN STORY

Impunity!

Evidence before Task Force

show a failing Government


BY ANCHOR REPORTER

ACCOUNTS emerging at the Task Force on land grabbing in Mavoko Municipality are exposing a  worrying and rapidly collapsing system of Government. Testimonies show there is total collapse of government in Mavoko where land grabbers who include elected leaders, state officials including administrators have run amok and abuse every set rule to forcefully acquire land and sell it to unsuspecting individuals.