Update: Ngovi's final ordeal

By Martin Masai

The final hours of the dismissed Machakos Chief of Staff Lawrence Ngovi  can now be revealed.

              Mr Ngovi 

He reported to the second floor office at White House as usual. It was a day of great anticipation for him since he was coming face to face with Governor Wavinya Ndeti for the first time in over one month.

It would also be the first time for them to meet face to face after a noisy telephone conversation where the governor accused him of leaking crucial information. Ngovi, his escort, and driver did not know that it would be their last trip there.

A cabinet meeting - the first physical one  in almost  two months, had been scheduled, and vibrancy could be seen in the precincts of White House and tension was pulpable as staff kept peeping outside whenever a vehicle pulled into the foyer.

The governor arrived in good time for the meeting, escorted by her chase cars.

At 2 p.m., the meeting was called to order. A raft of deliberations and reports were tabled and discussed. As usual, the Chief of Staff sat throughout the meeting, occasionally exchanging salutations with ministers who had all this time concealed any indications of impending Dooms Day for Wavinya's disgraced Mr Fix It.

As business on agenda was being concluded, Ngovi had no idea that the cabinet room would turn to a slaughter house for him.

His matter was brought in under Any Other Business( AOB). It was introduced by the County Secretary Dr Muya Ndambuki, and it sounded like a casual discussion. It centred on conversations between Ngovi and other members of the county government.

It was alleged that Ngovi's discussions showed that he had become disloyal to the governor. Media reports on the governor's personal investments were cited as cases of sensitive leaked information that was portraying the governor in negative light. No evidence was tabled to link Ngovi to the alleged leaks.

Specifically, it was alleged that Ngovi once told the Chairman of the Public Service Board Urbanus Mutisya that he would not support Governor Wavinya in 2027.

A call was dramatically placed to Mr Mutisya by the governor and put on speaker. Mutisya was not warned that the cabinet was listening to him. He confirmed that he once had such a conversation with Ngovi.

Another claim came through the Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi to the effect that Ngovi allegedly promised the DG some Kes 200m to stand as governor in 2027 "because Wavinya stands no chance of winning any other election."

Sources told The Anchor that the issue of the demontrations in Mitaboni was raised. Ngovi is falsely claimed to have organised the protest  revolving around the alleged incompetence of a Ward Administrator named Noor. It is alleged that the local MCA, who is a cousin to Ngovi, had incited locals to demonstrate to embarass the governor.

The issue of the employment of hundreds of new county staff across the government, mostly retirees, illiterate, and always absent from work, is a thorny issue and will certainly explode in the coming days. Watch this space.

Our sources say Ngovi was not given a chance to respond, even verbally. That Ngovi was given marching orders after a Kangaroo trial is a statement of impunity, arrogance and a don't care- kesi baadaye attitude, coming at a time that the country is restive about bad governance in the national government. 

It creates a fertile ground for court action for unlawful, unfair action - his alleged sins notwithstanding, leading to waste of public resources.

Health Minister Daniel Yumbya, who arrived at the meeting at this stage,together with the DG, appeared keen to end the matter there, our sources say. 

Yumbya then told Ngovi to leave the meeting to allow the cabinet to discuss the matter. Wavinya remained studiously quiet as her COS was led to golgotha. He rose, glanced at her as she avoided eyeballing him.

She did not intervene to even give her staff number 1 a chance to respond or even remain in the room to witness his own slaughter in the cabinet room.

As soon as Ngovi left, the cabinet resolved to abruptly end his tenure. Not a single soul among the governor's "wisemen" raised a voice on the need to grant Ngovi a fair hearing.

Dr. Ndambuki then left the room to execute the verdict.  With support from staff at Wavinya's office, the CS, who is head of the County Public Service and is, in his own right a ex university don, swiftly drafted the dismissal letter, together with the press statement, announcing the kill. 

The CS then withdrew Ngovi's official car and promptly stood down the aide and driver.

With Ngovi stripped to the chase,Dr. Ndambuki supervised as Ngovi packed his few belongings into a carton. Ngovi was never famous for keeping any reading materials in either the shelves or office drawers. 

Cornered, Ngovi then made a first call to a friend to pick him up, who was not immediately available. With the urge to exit the 'valley of death', Ngovi made a second frantic call, and a friend pulled in shortly afterwards and drove him away. 

Cabinet sources say the situation was tense as Ngovi exited White House for the last time.

Ngovi's cabinet friends watched as the well orchestrated drama unfolded. The meeting ended shortly after 4 pm.

Ngovi's dismissal was sealed with a National Red Alert that was circulated through police stations, notifying security agencies of the changes in the governor's office.

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Why Wavinya axed Ngovi

Ngovi loses power truggle

as Ndeti finally ditches him

By The Anchor Writer

In a significant shake-up, Governor Wavinya Ndeti's Chief of Staff, Lawrence Nzau Ngovi, has been officially relieved of his duties.

                 Mr Ngovi

The announcement, made public by County Secretary and Head of Public Service Dr. Muya Ndambuki, states that Ngovi's dismissal is effective from July 19, 2024.

"He is no longer authorized to transact any business on behalf of the county" was the final nail on his coffin. 

An analysis of the terse lines seems to imply that Ngovi may have been transacting business in the name of the County and it may not be surprising to see his exit published in the daily newspapers to underline how scathing the fight has been.

Ngovi's ousting comes after months of intense infighting within the governor's office. The power struggle involved Finance Minister Muia Kuyu and County Secretary Dr. Muya Ndambuki on the one hand and Ngovi and Health Minister Dr Daniel Yumbya on the other. Kuyu has been the most visible and has been working under increasingly difficult conditions for the past six months.

He becomes the latest casualty in this ongoing battle for control of influence and resources around Governor Ndeti. Ngovi joins a growing list of officials who have either quit or dismissed from the 22 month old administration that seems to be far from stable.

Matters have not been helped by official overreach by Dr Ndambuki who has executed mass staff been transfers from the County Public Service Board even when he has no lawful authority to do so, a clear case of incompetence.

Sources close to the Governor's office say Ngovi is accused of  allegedly leaking sensitive information about deals said to involve the Governor and her son, Charles Nzuki Oduwole.

Social media has been awash with lists of multi million properties the Governor is said to be developing,  including Mwaitu Plaza and County Lodge- next to her home where she holds consultative meetings with her top officials.

Sources say Wavinya herself has scolded Ngovi over the claims. He denied such claims.These accusations have made him a target for factions within the administration seeking to consolidate power and oust him altogether. 

Bad blood between Ndeti and Ngovi has been so intense that she has not set foot at her White House office for nearly one month. Recently, the governor oversaw the swearing of three new Chief Officers at her Mavoko offices at an event that Ngovi was not invited. But yesterday, as Ngovi's dismissal letter went out, the governor returned to hold a cabinet meeting at the White House.

The situation escalated further with recent demonstrations in Mitaboni, where protesters highlighted alleged corruption and questioned property developments linked to the Governor. The protests brought to the forefront accusations that wealth, supposedly funneled from the county government, was being used for personal gain by the Governor and her family. Critics are placing Charles at the center of the governor's liaisons,including attending cabinet meetings, and influencing key procurement decisions even when he bears to official status.

Insiders report that Ngovi has been scapegoated for various issues, with his opponents pinning every mishap on him to solidify their positions. As the dust settles, the office remains fraught with tension, leaving many to wonder who will step into Ngovi's role and whether the power struggle will finally come to an end.

Residents of Machakos County are closely monitoring these developments, pressing for transparency, accountability and prudent use of public resources. Further updates will follow as this story develops.

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Rita's day with Gen Zs

By Betty Wango

Roads and Transport Miniter Rita Ndunge faced a frightening moment last weekend when a microphone was wrenched off hands to stop her from addressing a burial event for a Gen Z protester who was killed in Nairobi.

Ms. Rita Ndunge Ndunda

It was at the send-off for Erickson Kyalo Mutisya, a victim of police brutality during the Finance Bill protests.

Rita had just been pulled to her feet by the Master of Ceremonies as he touted her as a beauty who the gathering needed to see. In a crafty gesture, the MC is named only as MC Isaiah, a  former MCA aspirant  Mutituni ward, handed the microphone to Rita as voices were being raised in opposition.

Rita did not seem to be decided to speak. Amid the din of opposing voices, she nevertheless took the stage and begun chanting " Justice for Ericsson." It was at this moment that a young man marched to the floor and wrenched the microphone from the minister as the MC intervened in vain. Her second 'justice for Ericsson' chant was cut off when the young man grabbed the microphone.

Lands Minister Nathaniel Nganga, who represented governor Wavinya Ndeti at the burial, observed the event quietly from his seat. Rita arrived at the burial late and found speeches having been concluded. In a video clip that has gone viral, the Mc is seen pulling her to her feet to have her address the crowd.

Machakos county runs 31 Illegal bank accounts, says Report

The County Government of Machakos operates a total of 31 illegal accounts in commercial banks,  the Controller of Budget (COB) reports. 

This operation is contrary to Regulations 82(1)(b) of the PFM (County Governments) Regulations, 2015, which requires that County government bank 

accounts be opened and maintained at the Central Bank of Kenya. The only exception to this regulation applies to imprest bank accounts for petty 

cash and revenue collection bank accounts, unless the county uses all its 31 accounts for petty cash and revenue collection.

In COB's report for the last 8 months on county finances, it was recommended that this anomaly be corrected promptly. The oversight also highlights a dismal performance in revenue collection which has hindered Wavinya Ndeti's administration to meet revenue collection projections for 2023/2024.

 "The under-performance of own-source revenue collection at Kshs.1.05 billion against an annual target of Kshs.4.01 billion, represents 26.3 per cent of the annual target" the COB report says.

The performance is underlined by inconsistent decisions made in the finance office under the minister Onesmus Kuyu during the year such as shuffling revenue staff, including the employment of over 400 new ones who were initially campaigners for Governor Ndeti. The hallmark of these inconsistencies is the removal of 9 Senior Revenue Officers who remain unemployed, and the removal of Revenue Chief Officer Mike Senga.

Allegedly, the revenue collected goes into people's pockets, rather than into the illegal accounts to avoid tracking.

The report also notes a staggering high level of pending bills, which amounts to Kshs.2.90 billion as of March 31, 2024. "Further, there 

was non-adherence to the pending bills payment plan by the County Treasury," the report says.

The COB also cites the use of manual payroll. "Personnel emoluments amounting to Kshs.427.21 million were processed through the manual payroll, accounting for 8.4 per cent of the total payroll cost."

COB says the manual payroll is prone to abuse and may lead to the loss of public funds where there is a lack of proper controls.

The report further notes that there was an over-expenditure on the County Assembly committee sitting allowances at Kshs.48.12 

million against the annual approved budget allocation of Kshs.43.0 million for the 61 MCAs. 

The assembly expends this money through sitting allowances for its 22 Standing Committees formed to misuse public funds through allowances- signifying that the malfeasance is widespred in the entire government. 

It enhances the grave doubts about the assembly's capabilities to oversee an outrightly incompetent executive on an eating spree.

COB says the over expenditure at the assembly is

an indication of possible misappropriation of public funds. 

COB further highlighted the unexplained variances of Kshs.400.90 million between the submitted expenditures reports and IFMIS 

expenditure reports, indicating that the county is spending millions outside the IFMIS system.

More worrying for the residents is a significant underperformance of the development budget at an 18.7 per cent absorption rate as opposed to the expected absorption rate of 75 per cent of the total development expenditure in the reporting period.

It means that even the little revenue raised by the government,  Governor Wavinya is unable to utilize the money to deliver services and development to her people.

It is highly unlikely that this budget absorption matrix will dramatically increase in the final 2023/2024 audit,meaning that the people of Machakos will have endured 2 successive years of an underperforming administration.

However COB says Sub-programmes with the highest levels of implementation based on absorption rates were in the Department of Health -Mwala Level 4 Hospital at 93.3 per cent, Matuu Level 4, at 86.9 per 

cent, Kalama Level 4,at 85.9 per cent, and General Administration and Support services at 71.0 per cent of budget allocation.

It appears that COB has identified county procurement  processes as the biggest impediment to budget absorption.

Procurement in the county has been centralised in the governor's office under on Mr Mathuki, who has one foot in the finance office and the other in the governor's office. This ensures that procurement is done under the governor's tooth comb. Sources say her son- Charles Nzuki Oduwole, makes the final decision over who gets what. 

Efforts to get a comment from Governor Ndeti were unsuccessful. 

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Your county leaders used 0.5b on trips, says report

Within 8 months in 2023, Kes 484m went
to Domestic and Kes 106m to Foreign trips

By Martin Masai,
Editor/ Publisher

YOUR County leaders gobbled a good  half a billion shillings in the last 8 months of the last financial year in travel alone, according to the office of the Controller of Budget.

During the period, expenditure on domestic travel amounted to Kshs.484.60 million and comprised Kshs.165.19 million spent by the County Assembly and Kshs.319.41 million by the County Executive.

Expenditure on foreign travel amounted to Kshs.106.99 million and comprised Kshs.57.54 million by the County Assembly and Kshs.49.45 million by the County Executive. 

An analysis by The Anchor shows that the county leaders undertook 24 trips to various countries including South Africa, Canada, the United States, Germany, Dubai, Japan, United Arab Emirates, Israel, the United Kingdom, Tanzania and Rwanda.

The County Assembly took the bulk of the foreign junkets- 16 of them, while the County Executive took 8 trips. The most expensive one to you gobbled Kes 6.4 million where 4 unnamed members of the County Executive travelled to Istanbul, Turkey to attend and Executive Leadership Summit between December 11- 22, 2023. Such summits, normally opportunities to buy commercialized  executive MBA qualifications may have brought value to the four individuals on the trip but not to the county or the people of Machakos.

Another junket was executed by another 4 unnamed people who went to the Cop 28 Summit in UAE Between November 30- December 12, 2023. It means 8 members of the County Executive were out of the country between Dec 11-12, 2024, attending to business whose tangible benefit to the county may never be known. The UAE summit used a cool Kes 4.3 million.

The second most expensive trip was taken by the County Assembly on 8-12 October 2023 where 7 unnamed members of the Machakos County Assembly travelled to Tokyo, Japan to attend an Internet Governance Summit. Kes 5.3 million was used during the 5 day trip. 

Most of the trips used between 3-2 million shillings. Probably the most telling trips were those made to the United States, each undertaken by 1 unnamed member of the County Executive that cost a total of Kes 2.7m. Another one to Germany by 2 members of the County Executive used Kes. 1.7m.

One of the most curious character of the trips by the County Assembly is that most of them had seven participants- 14 to be precise, out of the 16 trips. The largest delegations by the  assembly comprised on 14 and 8 people, both of which were trips to Arusha, Tanzania.

The bulk of the money used for travel and subsistence went to local travel. The Schedule from the Controller of Budget did not specify the destinations that the county leadership went to.

Machakos Nurses set day of strike over delayed promotions

By The Anchor Writer 

Nursing officers in Machakos County will down their tools on July 24, 2024, grounding operations in all health facilities if their promotions are not made.

              Mr.Michael Saka

The nurses today tendered a strike notice to the Minister for Health Dr. Daniel Yumbya, County Secretary Dr Muya Ndambuki and chair County Public Service Board Mr Urbanus Mutisya. 

The impact of the strike is projected to spread across Machakos and  the neighbouring counties of Kitui, Makueni, Kiambu, and Kajiado, where patients are likely to seek medical treatment. 

The nurses in Machakos vowed to down tools in three weeks’ time if the county government does not yield into their long-standing demands and grievances

The nurses have faulted the county for failing to adhere to some of their agreement including a return to work formulae that was agreed upon in September last year that long serving medics be promoted which they claim has not been effected to date. Promotions effected since have been selective and the union sees this as a divide and rule strategy by the county government.

Speaking at the Machakos County headquarters in Machakos town after presenting their notice to the county secretary, the medics said 1,015 have not been promoted in the last seven years, notwithstanding signed agreements to promote them.

The Machakos Branch Secretary for the Kenya Nurses Union (KNUN) Michael Saka said most hospitals in the county are being overstretched after more than 250 nurses  left the country to work overseas through a program supported by the national government.

Nurses have gone without leave as they work long hours to provide critical care to patients.

According to Saka, it is worrying that the county has initiated ambitious projects, including the upgrading of Level 2 hospitals, yet nurses' pay has never been a priority of the county.

Observers interpret the needs priorities to be driven by deals that come with construction contracts where officials line up their pockets while staff suffer over the years.

They lamented on the deplorable state of most health facilities, saying they lack medical supplies, with patients not going without food.

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Wavinya's 405 Revenue Clerks left jobless

Governor's supporters in shock

By Martin Masai

The fate of 405 Revenue  clerks  contracted by Governor Wavinya Ndeti hangs in the balance after the  county government withdrew a request to the Public Service Board to renew their contracts.

The letter of doom

Consequently, the workers have disappeared from their work stations since Tuesday, July 2, 2024. They were stationed in all sub counties in Machakos.

The Anchor established that the Chief Officer for Revenue Collection Zipporah Mutunga wrote a letter to the Acting Secretary and CEO of the County Public Service Board on May 6,2024, seeking the renewal or extension for contracts of the revenue clerks for three years.

Apparently, Ms. Mutunga's office, upon making the request, had attached appraisal documents for the clerks- whose age ranges from 18 years to 75, and approving their performance for the last one year. The clerks are made up of  Ms Ndeti's campaign staff who remained without jobs after she took office and employed campaigners who occupied upper levels of the mobilization battalion.

Last Saturday- June 29, 2024 was their last day at work. Word was sent verbally through their supervisors to report to the County Public Service Board on Tuesday June 2, 2024 to collect their new letters.

Unbeknown to them, Ms. Mutunga had written a letter to the CPSB on June  18,2024, reversing her request for the new contracts. It is unlikely that the letters will be forthcoming following reports circulating within the county that the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission had requested to be furnished with records and the process followed to hire the clerks.

The move puts in jeopardy the county plans to collect revenues to the tune of Kes 4b to fund its budget. It also comes as 9 Counsty Senior Revenue Officers(SROs) remain suspended for four months now, sending signals that all is not well at the revenue collection department of the county government.

Revenue oversight and coordination in the Sub Counties is currently done by County Administrators who have no knowledge in that field, leaving county revenues prone to abuse. Such was the case in Mwala recently when 12 revenue clerks were caught fiddling with the funds. None of them has since been prosecuted, meaning that those involved may be well connected within the county establishment.

The SROs were recalled from their various stations after an order by Finance Minister Onesmus Muyu. The order was implemented through the then Director of Revenue Collections Mr David Kakonzi, who too was eased out of the post shortly after. Within days, the then Chief Officer for Revelue Collection Jece Senga was transferred from office and replaced by Ms Mutunga.

These movements were preceded by a chaotic mass transfer of revenue officers that Kuyu ordered earlier that embarrassed him after ordering the transfer of a Chief Officer, an move that is outside his authority.

Inside Ndeti's Kes.14b budget

Kes. 4b for projects funding while 
Kes. 10b will be used for expenses

By Queen Mutindi

The Machakos County Government is set to gobble 71.4 percent of its Kes. 14bn budget for 2024/2025 on recurrent expenditure.

Mr Kuyu

In what is out rightly an affront to the Public Finance Management Act(PFMA), Finance Minister Mr. Onesmus Kuyu presented his budget to the Machakos County Assembly and had the audacity to state in his notes that the budget was within the dictates of the PFMA that stipulates that the budget’s development expenditure must not run below 35 percent.

Kuyu inaccurately states in notes to the budget that 30 percent of the budget had been allocated to development expenditure, yet, indeed, out of the Kes 14,392,185,634 billion, Kes 10,067,055,062billion will go to recurrent expenditure. Unfortunately, no one in the assembly noted the glaring declaration and as usual, the budget was passed, asserting the sorry state of governance in Kenya that has triggered a revolution by Gen Z Kenyans who feel the country is headed in the wrong direction.

It raises serious questions over the role of the assembly in oversighting the executive arm of government although, like at the national scene where Members of Parliament are bribed to pass illegal laws, MCAs too, are usually bribed to pass legislation in the counties.

How else does one justify the passing of a budget that leaves only Kes 4, 325,130,572 for development, yet it is highly likely that much of the money contains budgeted corruption and a large sum of it may be stolen by county mandarins who run county programs under Governor Wavinya Ndeti’s Chakula Mezani, Pesa Mfukoni mantra. It is therefore unlikely that the people of Machakos will realize meaningful change in the way they live.

The budget is prepared in the background of dwindling revenue for the county with projections indicating that Machakos had collected only Kes  1,051,979,26 b by June 2024. While the county projects to realize Kes 3b from Own Source Revenues to fund the budget, it remains to be seen if the projections will work, save for the projected Kes 9.5b from Equitable Share of revenue from the national government.

What makes the revenue generation a herculean task is the low figures reported from key sectors where the county is projecting to rake in funds is from as at the close of the first half of the financial year. The sectors are Building Plans Approvals (Kes 44,107,496m), Mavoko Quarries ( Kes 37,022,921m), Land Rates (Kes 35,612,844m), Bus Park( Kes 35,139,630m) and Small Business Permits(Kes 24,252,600m).

Details in the budget show that within the Kes 10 b expenditure plan, Wavinya’s office will gobble Kes 857,175,828m for recurrent expenditure up from Kes 580m in the just ended year while Kes 59,830,059m will be available for development funding, up from Kes 19m last year. The Anchor was unable to verify how the governor will use the nearly Kes 60m.

The Anchor has published excerpts of the budget in this article.

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Ndeti's cabinet nominee snubs big seat, skips assembly vetting

By Anchor Writer 

Governor Wavinya Ndeti's cabinet nominee for water and irrigation  Elizabeth Katile Mutua has snubbed the appointment.

Kalekye's snub was announced on the floor of the Machakos County Assembly  by Majority Leader Nicholas Nzioka.

Nzioka submitted names of three other nominees who were approved by the assembly without that of the nominee for the water docket.

Assembly sources say Katile, who had been invited to appear before the Assembly’s Appointments Committee along with the three, failed to return papers ahead of the vetting date set for June 10,2024.

They all had been nominated by Governor Wavinya and a notice published for their vetting. They were expected to present their credentials to the assembly for scrutiny ahead of  the vetting. 

Efforts to verify who indeed Katile is did not go far. A search through Google shows a lady with a similar name, having done a research paper at SEKU University on perceived effects of tuition on pupils.

Katile was projected to take over from Acting CECM Catherine Mutanu, who was moved to the Agriculture docket two months ago.

Observers suspect that Katile may have grown cold feet at some point after seeing the raising cabinet blood-letting in Wavinya's 22 month old administration.

Three ministers have exited so far -  Mr. Sky Muasya (Education), Philip Kilonzo ( Lands) and recently Joyce Mwikali Muindi       (Devolution)

The three nominees  approved by the Assembly are

Joyce Wairimu Gituro- Chief Officer - Public Communications.

Dr. Julianne Ndunge Wambua-Water and Irrigation,

and Mr Francis Musembi Munyambu- Inspectorate, Fire Fighting and Emergency Services.

Gituro, formerly a broadcast journalist with Royal Media Services, succeeds Daniel Mule, who quit without explanation. Ndunge also replaced one of the first chief officers under Wavinya to quit.

Munyambu, a former Nairobi police chief, replaced the Col Mbithi Wathi who was moved from the post the day Mwikali was quietly left out of government. She resigned late last month.

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.

Wavinya's second shuffle in a day

By Anchor Reporter 

Governor Wavinya Ndeti today executed a second reorganisation of her government,  just hours after the first one.

It was her third action in 'reorganising' her government within two months, a clear indication of  a stability deficit in the 19- month old administration.

In the latest move, the governor swapped Chief Officer Medical Services Dr Wycliffe Miyienda with Roads and Transport Chief Officer Mr Justus Kasivu.

No reason was given for the movements that are seen as disjointed and haphazard.

Earlier in the day,Wavinya appointed Mr Kasivu as Acting Chief Officer for Climate Change in changes that affected four other Chief Officers, leaving one- Maureen Mwende who was suspended for 10 some two weeks ago- jobless.

The Anchor has established that the new movements come as Ms Mwende was awaiting a response to a Show Cause Letter that accused her of missing critical meetings and failing to show leadership as Chief Officer for Education. 

But yesterday's list of a ' reorganised government listed her as outgoing ECDE Chief Officer.

So what exactly led to her suspension?

How many meetings did she miss, and where were these meetings?

So was she the Education or ECDE chief officer? 

 The Anchor is piecing together an explosive account of the actual reasons for her suspension.

Read the earlier story elsewhere in this online edition of The Anchor 

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ABC Prelate expells Wiper MCA

By The Anchor Writer

Nominated Wiper Member of the Machakos County Assembly  Dee Kivuva was on Sunday excommunicated from the African Brotherhood Church.

Dr. Timothy Ndambuki

Dee was expelled from the church following his public appeal  last week, targeting the top hierarchy of the church against rampant demands for money from its congregations.

The forum - a burial ceremony for Machakos trader Jimmy Kathuli - was also attended by local leaders and clergy.

He pointedly urged the ABC church followers to warn the top leadership on the issue of asking for money so often.

Dee is an outspoken MCA and a long-term active member of the church whose wife is a high-ranking minister of the ABC.

Last sunday, the Church's Archbishop Dr. Timothy Ndambuki did not disguise his rage towards  Dee's utterances, which were made last Wednesday. 

He termed these utterances as a show of disrespect to the church and its leadership and swiftly declared that Dee had been excommunicated.

The church has an elaborate process it follows to excommunicate its members , and it appears that this may not have been followed. 

It exposes Dr. Ndambuki's rising intolerance to criticism at a time observers are murmering against a spirited scheme to install his wife, who presided over the burial, as his possible successor. She is currently the ABC Bishop of Nairobi.

Archbishop Ndambuki went further to fire a salvo at the Wiper party, saying Dee's behaviour is characteristic of the party, adding that his personal matters were at some point discussed by some members of this party, whom he did not name. He cited this as a reason why he does not get along with Wiper these days. 

He left the congregation wondering if the excommunication was based on broken church rules, political or just parochial. 

Dee is known as Kalonzo Musyoka's hatchet man, and it is most likely that the jibe against Wiper is aimed at the top party brass.

Makueni Wiper MCAs oust entire leadership

CHANGE OF GUARD.

By Our Reporter. 

Disruptions today marred Makueni County Assembly proceedings following  the Wiper Party leadership row in the Assembly. 

Mr Mbilu

Drama  unfolded in the chamber  as  the drastic changes were made by majority Wiper Members in Makueni Assembly who ousted Majority Leader Kyalo Mumo and his entire  team

Kithungo Kitundu  Ward MCA Kisungu  Katete was elected  new Majority  Leader  as Ilima Ward MCA Bishop  Jonathan Muthoka replaced Kilili Ward MCA Francis Munyao alias Musso as Deputy Majority Leader.

Joyce Mutua,a nominated MCA, was elected new Whip while Kathonzweni MCA Benedict Maneno elected deputy Majority Whip. 

The new team served the Assembly Speaker  Douglas Mbilu with the new changes. 

Speaking to The Anchor, the new team accused the outgoing team of nepotism, corruption, and missuse of power. 

In addition, they accused the former leadership of dining with the UDA party and going to bed with Makueni  executive.

Riot as tout dies in county office

By The Anchor Writer 

The Machakos County Inspectorate is on the sportlight again today after a tout committed suicide in unclear circumstances in their office.

The room in which the tout died

This is the second incident putting the inspectorate officers on the spot this year,with the  first incident being an attack to the Kalama Legislator Musyimi Maeke at the Machakos Courts premises.The matter that is still in court.

Askaris at Machakos bus park area arrested the tout earlier in the day  for unspecified reasons.

When the tout was last arrested,he protested,saying that the next time he is arrested, he would commit suicide.

His colleagues allege that the askaris habitually detain the tout and release him without any charges, and they are therefore not surprised that he dramatically kept his promise today by taking his life.

It is alleged that he used his belt as a noose, and his trousers dropped off as a sequel. 

It is mysterious how he managed to commit suicide in a room where the askaris use as a resting area as well as a base.

The door to the room is directly at the back of askaris, who lift off the barrier to let out matatus after confirming that they have paid daily fees.

The tout who has been working in this area for a long time is on record, claiming that the inspectorate officers here have been harrasing him.

Pandemonium broke out at the park with irate residents demanding  to know  why the deceased was arrested and the procedures  used to process his case.

Touts started searching for an Askari named Tyson, who is said to be the one behind this.

By this time,the Askaris vanished as police used tear gas to disperse protestors.

Machakos County Secretary Dr.Muya Ndambuki told a media briefing that he has interdicted the officer in question,adding that investigations are underway.

Dr Ndambuki 

This comes as the Inspectorate is in search of a new Chief Officer after the previous one Col. Wathi Mbithi,was removed after a fight with the County Majority Leader Nicholas Nzioka.

Informed sources say the Director of the Inspectorate Francis Munyambu has been fingered by Governor Wavinya Ndeti to be the next Chief Officer. 

Battle over land rages

By The Anchor Writer

A sweeping investigation is underway at the Department of Lands following the suspension of three officials over fraudulent approvals and suspected rampant corruption. 

The public notice

The officials- Hilda Ngina Mulatya, a Surveyor Assistant III, Antony Maingi Wambua- a Planning Assistant II, and Joel Kieti Francis a Works Officer 1  were suspended and a public notice published in a local daily warning citizens not to transact county business with them. 

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has netted a cache of over 200 documents with signatures of approval by the suspended officials that have enabled fraudsters to grab private and public land in Mavoko Sub County where they were based.

The signatures have approved building plans,payment of understated rates,construction of perimeter walls and other allied requirements that ought to earn the county government millions in revenues. 

The officials, though relatively junior, are alleged to have transacted various lucrative approvals for that ought to have been approved by their superiors- a matter that exposes the county's accountability actions on land transactions. 

To demonstrate the extent of their powers, a 183 hectares- designated as Mavoko Dumping Site within Mulinge Scheme- was approved for construction of a perimeter fence by one Omar Haji Hassan. 

   The plan for Mulinge Scheme 

It was after the fencing that the County Government of Machakos moved in and demolished part of the wall, triggering a daggers-drawn setting that underlines the state of matters at the Department.

The spirited fight has set cartels treading their guns on Lands Minister Nathaniel Nganga.

It transpires that Hassan had approvals by Mr Wambua, acting on behalf of the County Director of Physical Planning Mr. Ingati Ajanga.

Our sources say the extent of land fraud in Mavoko- targeting public land - is deep rooted and well connected- from brokers, officials, MCAs, through to operators in the governor's office. The currency of the fight is cash, driven by a get-rich-quick mantra. 

The impact of the approval given to the Mulinge Scheme property resulted in giving Hassan the impetus to present a title suspected to be fake, pay rates for the property, construct a fence arround the 183 hectares and begin to behave as bona-fide owner. 

This also comes with extremely reduced rates that are informed by bribes that reach and sometimes skip players in the entire value chain. 

 We have also established that the bold cartels are fighting a decision to centralise approvals for building plans in Mr Ingati's office- a decision made by Mr Nganga- which is fueling the fight, even when the move was made to avert the raging fraud. 

The suspended officials have disowned the signatures that are on the documents under DCI scrutiny.If then it turns to be true that the signatures are fake, it is alarming that land gangsters have toppled order within the Machakos County Government.It may also turn out to be that corruption officials forge signatures of their colleagues to outdo one another. 

 The entire saga is punctuated by big money, sex and brinkmanship,with players dropping names such as that of one 'Prince Charles' to attempt to sway the probe and transfer officials who impede operations along the crooked path.

 The Anchor was told of a trail of sms with texts that have been sent to Governor Wavinya Ndeti, accusing other top officials of sex entreats and complicity in land fraud in Mavoko.

 The investigation is also targeting the lifestyles of the officials who have acquired big properties and live large despite earning salaries in the range of Kes 40,000. Land under investigation includes blocks set for public utilities such as schools, hospitals and Social halls.

Updated: Wavinya's night party with full list of participants

See who partook of the night's dinner at Kinanie County Lodge

By Anchor Staff Writer 

Could it be that Governor Wavinya Ndeti has thrown her cabinet and chief officers under the bus?  The Anchor questions.

Gov.Ndeti during Ruto's US trip

This appears to be the case.  Attendees of an informal caucas  called by cherry picking by Majority Leader Nicholas Nzioka went home with the conclusion that Wavinya was fed up with her appointees and wanted MCAs to deal with them at the assembly.

The caucus  was held at Wavinya's Kinanie residence on  Thursday night. 40MCAs attended the meeting. 16 others who were not invited did not attend. The numbers display the existing divide in the Machakos County Assembly.

Invitees were called through a personal phone call from Nzioka that told each MCA ..." that the governor wants to see you" and proceeded to disclose the day,time, and venue.

Each of the attendees only discovered it was a larger meeting upon arrival at the residence. 

Their host began with banter on rumours of a contemplated impeachment motion against her, following mounting questions over her ability to deliver her 'Chakula Mezani,Pesa Mfukoni' manifesto. Concerns are mounting over mounting corruption over tenders with what is becoming an open secret that a 10 per cent payment must be made upon the granting of every tender in the county. 

Matters have not been helped by the turbulence and infighting in her executive that has seen the unceremonious departure of 8 top officials.

Multiple sources that spoke to The Anchor say Wavinya did not present a clear agenda for the meeting  but seemed keen to cool the tensions about her administration among the MCAs and to deflect attention to her executive. 

But the county boss took the opportunity to draw the performance of her ministers and chief officers to the leaders, saying that their poor performance had let her down and contributed to the hue and cry in the County. 

Though the meeting excluded her ministers, her Finance Minister Onesmas Kuyu, County Secretary Dr Muya Ndambuki and Chief of Staff Lawrence Ngovi attended. The trio represent her kitchen cabinet though all do not always read from the same script.

MCAs complained that ministers snubbed invitations for interrogation about their actions or non action. But an attempt by Dr Ndambuki to defend them was rebuffed with a boo and Wavinya supported the MCAs.

She stressed to them that it is within their powers to summon and impeach the county executives and added that she felt let down by them. She did not explain why she cannot take action as the appointing authority- and observers suspect she may have no fire left in her belly to take action.

The sources say the governor surprised the leaders when she insinuated that her party boss Kalonzo Musyoka will not be on the presidential ballot  but would instead enter into a deal with President William Ruto.

She is alleged to have explained that talks over Musyoka's fate was the reason she was  joining the president during his current US visit to firm up the conversation.

However, it is instructive that Wavinya flew out of the country a day ahead of Ruto's departure, and is on Ruto's entourage along with Governor Anne Waiguru and Gladys Wanga.

The governor took her guests round her upcoming County Lodge, served them with dinner and fueled their vehicles with between Kes 50,000 and 70,000 each, depending on their relationship with her.

The Anchor presents a list of all e members  of the Machakos County Assembly and how they related to the invite to Governor Wavinya to her Kinanie home.

Those who partook of the night's dinner at Kinanie County Lodge

1.  Stephen Nzue Mwanthi- Ekalakala

2. Nicholas Kitavi Nzioka -Machakos Central. 

3. Judas Mbili Ndawa  - Matuu

4. Raphael Nzau- Matungulu West.

5 Paul Musila- Ndithini

6. Daniel Muindi - Muthesya

7. Francis Kitaka- Ndalani

8. Paul Mwanzia - kithimani

9. Fredrick Kitetu- Ikombe

10. Felix Ngui -Katangi 

11. Brian Kisila- Mwala/Makutano

12. Justus Kasanga- Wamunyu

13. Charles Mbuva -Kangundo West 

14. Jackson Ndaka - Tala

15. Vincent Mutie -Upper Kaewa

16. Dominic Ndambuki-  Kathiani Central

17. Benjamin Kyule - Lower Kaewa

18. Phillip Kitoo- Mitaboni

19. Johana Munyao  -Mutituni

20.Eric Wambua- Kola

21.Dominic Maitha- Muthwani

22.Daniel Ndwiki -Mlolongo/Syokimau

23. Jeremiah Kaloi- Athiriver.

24. Francis Kavyu- Kinanie/Mathatani

MCAs not invited and who would not attended even if invited. 

1. Joshua Mwonga -Masinga Central 

2 Alphonce Mutinda - Kivaa.

3. Paul Wambua-   Kibauni

4.  Peter Kilonzo - Mbiuni

5. Boniface Katiti -Muthetheni

6.  Douglas Musyoka  - Masii

7.  Evelyn Nzeki- Kangundo East 

8.  Mathew Ndunda  -Kangundo North 

9.  Dickson Maundu- Kangundo Central

10. Julius Munywoki - Matungulu East.

11.  Grace Bahati -Kyeleni

12.  Mathias Muasya- Matungulu North 

13.  Francis Ngunga -Mua

14.  Boniface  Maeke -Kalama

15.  Joseph Mulinge -Muvuti/Kiima kimwe

Nominated MCAs who attended Wavinya's night bash

1.Rosina Kanini

2. Annastaciah  Mutevu

3. Catherine Mutio

4. Lyoid Mutua

5. Fariha  Abdi

6. Catherine  Wambua

7. Irene Mulu

8. Hellen Ndeti

9.Constance Mbula 

10. Mercy Njagi

11. Phoebe  Mawa 

12. Rose Wavinya

13. Mary Kituku

14. Peninah  Kisangai

15. Winfred Mutua

16. Ruth Wanjiru

Nomited who were not invited 

1 Margaret Ndalana

2. Caroline  mutuku

3 .Ann Ndilo

4 .Dee Kivuva.

Stay Anchored!

Updated: End of an era for Machakos traders as Kyuli dies

Adieu, Nason Kyuli Mbuvi

By Anchor Staff Writer 

The last of towering Machakos businessmen,Mzee Nason Kyuli Mbuvi has rested.He rested peacefully on May 3, 2024 at 11.00 pm.

     Nason Kyuli Mbuvi 1930-2024

He of the Safari Lodge fame and fabled Elliots and Broadways Bread distributor was accorded a warm and befitting final farewell at his home in Emale where he was laid to rest on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.

He departs many years after his business peers- Mutisya Kinothya, Musau Mwania, Muteti Kitolo(Kiembeni), DL Mulila, Karsandas Tulshindas, Harillal Nandram(Ila), Philip Kivuvo, David Iseka(Kalimani), Jones Maingi, Philip Nzuki, Juma Mutunga, Samuel Musembi(Nzambani), Peter Maundu Munuka, Aaron Makau(T.Tot),Paul Mbole, Gideon Mbole,  Gideon Kitulu, Tom Suvi, Kimatu Mbuvi, John Kiilu Mosa, Stone Kathuli Muinde,Joel Mbithi, Muindi Kitolo, Abraham Yavi Katuba(Katuba's), and Peter Mulei just to mention afew who have predeceased him. There certainly are one or two other traders who are still alive but are much younger than Mzee Kyuli, such as Jonah Malika and Samuel Kamwele. 

The family of Mzee Kyuli eulogised him thus;

"Nason Kyuli was born on or around 1930 at Muthwani, Yandue location, Lower Mbooni in what was then Machakos District.  He was the 4th born child to the late Mbuvi Ngui and the late Malinda Mbuvi. His siblings were the late Kavulu, the late Mativo, the late Mutua, and Kavithi. His step brothers are Mutungi, Mutune and Nzioki.

Early life

Nason was brought up within the larger Mbaa Ngui family that eventually settled in the beautiful land now known as Imale village. Later, his father, Mbuvi Ngui, moved temporarily to Kyawango, Mwala but Nason came back and lived with his uncle Mwania Ngui. His father came back and settled in this village (Kiliku) just about 500 meters from this place.

Work

Nason was enrolled in the Army where he learned to drive. Upon finishing his contracted service in the early 1950s, he returned home and joined his cousin, Musau Mwania, in business. He served as a driver and shortly moved on to greener pastures still as a driver at Akamba Bus Service where his cousin was a director.

While serving at Akamba Bus, his business mindset lead him to team up with his brothers, the late Mutua and Kavithi to set up a shop at Tawa Market which was run by the two brothers as he continued his driving career.

Nason later joined his brothers in running the business which quickly expanded with the late Mutua moving to Tala Market and Kavithi to Kangundo Market. Kavithi is still in Kangundo todate.

As the country attained independence, Nason,  Musau and the lthau family grabbed the new opportunities which were coming up at Machakos town.

 First Africans 

 They started and were among the first Africans to operate wholesale and distributorship shops in the town. Nason managed the enterprise until 1970 when he went solo after acquiring his own business premises in what is now lkuuni Hotel in Machakos Town.

He also started a Hotel (Safari Lodge) and his signature business in bread distributorship. He started distributing the famous Elliots brand and later became a leading distributor of Broadways Bread to this day.

Family

Nason was married to the late Beatrice Muvya, Ruth Syomwai and the late Elizabeth Kalekye.

Together they were blessed with 12 children namely Kimatu, Syombua, Muthike, Malinda, Mutheu, late Musyoka, Jogoo, late Mukonyo, Wavinya, Kaluki, Juma, and late Nora. He was father in-law to Miriam, Terry, Zipporah, Miriam, late Josphat Kakuli, Mwanzia Kawasya, late Simon, late Nzioki Mulei, late Christine. 

Nason was also father to Mutuku, Wambua, Alex, Mbula, Mbinya and Mulei.

He was further blessed with 36 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, and 1(one) great, great grandchild.

Christian Life

Nason was a devout Christian and a faithful member of the African Brotherhood Church(ABC). He and his family participated in church affairs both  at home and in Machakos.

Nason, though well endowed was led of God to live a simple life. A man, not of many words but a very good listener. His was a Christ-led character that earned him lots of friends of all walks of life who he respected and had time for.

Illness and demise

Mzee Kyuli enjoyed a robust health till old age caught up with him.He started enduring age related complications about 9 years ago.He battled with old age heath conditions for all that period under the care of his son Mutyango (Juma) till his demise.

Nau, we loved you and we will continue to love you. We know you have rested in the Lord and we are certain that we will meet you again in heaven. You will be dearly missed by all.

Psalms 147: 3. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

 Juma's outstanding care of his father drew him accolades from family members.The family also thanked the various doctors who tirelessly attended to him during his illness. The family also appreciated Gregory Kyalo and David Mbuvi who were his caregivers. 

Editor's Note:

The list in this story is not exhaustive.The Anchor is open to reader comments  or write-ups that could enrich this historical perspective of these unsung departed heroes. 

Miyienda, Muindi quit Ndeti's government, push toll to 8

By Martin Masai

TOP members of Governor Wavinya Ndeti's Government have resigned in the past one week, bringing to 8 the number of suofficials to exit.

Joyce Mwilali Muindi, the minister Wavinya dropped unceremoniously after a fight in her office shot a resignation letter to the governor,formally relieving herself of the turmoil existing in the cabinet. 

The other resignation is that of Dr Wycliffe Miyienda, a former personal doctor of Governor Ndeti. Dr. Miyienda,

a medic in his own right and previously seen as untouchable, was removed last week as  Chief Officer for Medical Services to Chief Officer- Roads. After handing over to his successor, Mr  Justus Kasivu he headed to the County Secretary's office to deliver his resignation letter, which is largely seen as a rebuff to the governor and a clear indicator of unrelenting turmoil in the 19- month government.  A confidant of the former Marter Hospital consultant told The Anchor that the medic was baffled as to what he would be doing as Roads Chief Offficer after spending much of his life treating people.

Ms Muindi's last posting was as Minister for Devolution. She was left hanging after Wavinya effected a reshuffle that moved  former Water Minister Catherine Mutanu to be Substantive Agriculture minister but left her acting in the water ministry!

Ms Muindi was replaced by Dr Joel Nzomo, who previously held the Agriculture docket. No reason was given by Governor Ndeti. Her last public engagement was spectating in a fight between Majority Leader Nicholas Nzioka and Chief Officer Col (Rtd) Wathi outside her DU offices.

They join the ranks of ministers- Sky Muasya who resigned and Philip Kilonzo was was dismissed. Other COs who have quit include Mr Paul Wambua(Urban Development),Daniel Mule( Public Communications), the currently suspended Ms Maureen Mwende( Education) and Joseph Munyao- the man who used fake UoN degree to win a job in the County. 

As we went to press, the  fate of  Maureen Mwende   remained unknown after a reshuffle that left her out of government, again without any explanation. 

Sources say her fault was failure to deliver a 10 per cent cut to her superiors from a Kes 20m tender she had allocated the previous day. It is alleged that all allocated tenders accrue a 10 percent cut once a letter of award is delivered. Proceeds are then delivered at a specified place and recorded for 'accountability'

The Anchor will name the players in the unfolding saga after comments are obtained from them.

The reshuffle last week was Governor Ndeti 's second in as many weeks- reorganisation of  government,  just hours after the previous first one.

The governor swapped Chief Officer Medical Services Dr Wycliffe Miyienda with Roads and Transport Chief Officer Mr Justus Kasivu.

No reason was given for the movements that are seen as disjointed as they are haphazard.

In the same day that Wavinya appointed Mr Kasivu as Acting Chief Officer for Climate Change, she transferred him from  Roads and made him Chief Officer, Medical Services.

 The new movements come as Ms Mwende  awaits a response to a Show Cause Letter that accused her of missing critical meetings and failing to show leadership as Chief Officer for Education. 

But the last list on record that is held by The Anchor lists her as an outgoing ECDE Chief Officer.

So, was she the education or ECDE chief officer? Or was she both?

So what exactly led to her suspension?

How many meetings did she miss, and where were these meetings?

Sources say Minister's spend the Monday preceding her Tuesday suspension at the Governor's Kinanie home.

The governor spent the day holding personalised meetings with each minister and respective chief officers.

Her turn,together with her minister, was moved to the next day. Both left Kinanie at night.

Mwende drove herself to Machakos but hit a motorbike at Kyumbi. She allegedly informed her minister, Dr Consolata, that she was required to report to the traffic police at Kyumbi, so she could not report to the governor's homestead on Tuesday. 

The next day, she spent the day resolving the traffic matter. Little did she know her job was on the line at Kinanie.

What's going on in Governor Wavinya Ndeti's government?

County waives Kes. 48b arrears

 

 ln Numbers
Penalties Kes. 47.B
Arrears  Kes. 436M
The Parcels- 13,000

By Martin Masai, Editor/ Publisher

The Machakos County Government is waiving Kes 48 billion being arrears for land rates and penalties since 2008.

Governor Ndeti

The waiver was approved by the County Assembly of Machakos after a report was tabled by the Chairperson of the Finance and Revenue Collection Committee of the Assembly Mr. Francis Kyalo Kitaka   who is the MCA for Ndalani Ward.

The report followed a request for waiver by the County Finance Minister Onesmus Kuyu. The minister said the waiver was part of the Wavinya Ndeti administration’s strategy to hit its revenue target of Kes. 4 billion “The overall aim of the waiver is to raise more revenue for the County and help the County Government meet its target of Kes. 4.0 billion for the FY 2023/2024.” Said Mr Kuyu in his petition to the assembly.

Machakos County has land rates arrears and penalties totaling to Kes. 48 billion as at January, 2024, comprising of land rate arrears of Kes. 436 million and penalties of Kes. 47.564 billion.

“For, clarity, the CECM was intending to waive the interests and penalties amounting to Kes. 47,564,000,000 on outstanding land rates and also waive fees charged for registration of plots / parcels of land,” said a document seen by The Anchor. The waiver period was scheduled to run for 1 month from May 15(today) to June 14, 2024 for penalties and interests on land rates including fees charged for registration of plots / parcels of land, though the actual dates had not been firmed up by the time of going to press.

However, a list of the defaulters whose arrears are to be waived as not provided to the assembly. The County Executive Committee Member informed the Committee that, the number of plots is based on the information gathered from the Nairobi and Machakos land registries. The parcels are owned by residents and non-residents of Machakos County and some have multiple of parcels of land. The Anchor was informed that the list is composed of the high and mighty in the county, including politicians, lawyers, judges, MCAs, teachers and influential business people.

The waiver covers 13,000 parcels of land whose bio data is captured that is part of the 55,000 parcels registered in the County. The registration has been through persons who have volunteered to register with the revenue system but the information is not complete. This is the reason why the Department was issuing was waiver to encourage registration. There is an estimated 2million parcels of land in the county.

Some of these arrears date back to 2008 when the last valuation roll was done. The Department is in the process of finalizing another valuation roll and spatial planning where all land records will be digitized.

While an explanation was not provided why a government in dire need to revenue had accumulated the staggering arrears, Kuyu told the assembly committee that this was in spite of the fact clearance of land rates was a mandatory requirement for all land transactions such as land transfers and sub-divisions to obtain a clearance certificate before approval.

The assembly was informed though, that the responsible officers at lands had been put on notice to comply with this requirement and the directive was being implemented. Public participation of the Waiver was carried out by the Department of Finance, Economic Planning, Revenue Management and ICT- using Social Media instruments of the county including the website but there were zero responses. It puts to question whether can be claimed that there was real public participation.

The Committee observed that reasons stated for the waiver and the jurisdiction are within the mandate of the County Government.

The committee insisted on the necessity for the County Government to enforce payment of land rates and registration of plots / parcels of land at the point of exchange or trade of the properties to significantly reduce these arrears.

The waiver aims at encouraging those who have arrears on land rates to pay and those who have not registered their plots and parcels of land to do so. The County aims also to increase its revenue collection through the activity. The waiver is a two – pronged strategy to raise revenue, coupled with a call upon those who have not yet obtained certificates of occupation or the necessary approvals for their buildings or construction projects to do so during the period of the proposed waiver.

The waiver is the first to be issues under Governor Wavinya Ndeti. The County has not previously issued a waiver on penalties on irregular and informal developments before, leading to accumulation of large debts on property owners who continue to default on payments.

However, the initiative may be seen as a double edged sword. While the county plans to use to waiver to encourage payment of land rates arrears that land owners have been unable to pay due to high penalties and interests accrued, it will also bring more land owners to the full view of the county revenue framework. True, the waiver encourages land owners in Machakos to register. But these details will enable the authority to capture ownership details for future billing and levy of land rates and other property charges.

The waiver will be applicable to the entire area of jurisdiction of Machakos County Government. The records on lands / plot registration show that there are over two (2) million parcels of land in Machakos County. Out of these only 13,000 parcels of land have their bio data captured by the County Government while 55,000 parcels of land are registered.

The proposed waiver calls upon owners of the unregistered parcels of land to register their parcels with an offer of waiver of plot registration fee as a motivation. This exercise of plot registration will help the County enlarge its data base records of land owners as well as help update the existing records and make easy for the County to bill in the future.

What is most worrying for the county is that the arrears, penalties and interests for property owners have accrued above the value of the properties.

Wavinya shuffles Gvt- Again!

By Anchor Reporter 

Governor Wavinya Ndeti today shuffled her government for the second successive month,sending a signal about the stability of her administration.

                   Mr Senga

In the deployments that affect five chief officers,Wavinya left out suspended chief officer for Education Maureen Mwende  from the new postings that dislocated long serving Revenue Chief Officer Mike Jace Senga to Citizen Engagement.

           Ms. Mutunga

In April, Wavinya quietly left out Devolutuion Minister Esther Mwikali Muindi in a restructuring that saw Joel Nzomo made DU minister and Water Minister Catherine Mutanu  appointed substantive Agriculture CECM to replace Dr. Nzomo. She remained acting Water Minister. 

Today, Wavinya, in a dispatch from County Secretary Dr Muya Ndambuki moved Ziporrah Mutunga to Revenue from Climate Change, made Transport, Roads Chief Officer Justus Kasivu acting CO for Climate change, moved Bernice Kioko from Tourism to ECDE. The Governor moved Col. Gideon Wathi Mbithi for the second time in as many months- this time landing at Tourism from the Innovation and Industrialisation docket where he was moved to after a physical encounter with Majority Leader Nicholas Nzioka at the DU offices. The retired naval officer was previously Chief Officer for Inspectorate and Emergencies.

Also moved was  Bruce Isika, who replaced Col. Wathi at Innovation department. 

Though the changes are effective immediately,

Dr. Ndambuki ordered the affected officials to hand over and move by Monday, May 13.

The letter left confusion lingering as to who is the CO education. While Maureen was the substantive Education CO, two weeks ago, today's list  shows she is moving out as ECDE Chief Officer.

Observers see the changes as a big win for Finance Minister Onesmas Kuyu, following the edging out of Mr Senga. Kuyu initially and personally transferred Mr Senga last year in a mass transfer that he initiated targeting all revenue officers. It is now seen as victory for Masinga sub county where Kuyu and Ms Mutunga come from. While Mutunga hails from Kisaani village,Kaewa in Kivaa ward,Masinga Subcounty

Kuyu hails from Kithyoko,Kivaa ward,Masinga Subcounty. 

It is unbelievable how Wavinya wants to manage her administration by keeping such a key docket in the hands of people from same area.

Observers see her future role as that of a stooge- completely an alien to revenue collection approaches and management. The

actual work, the observers believe, will likely shift to ICT and infrastructure  office and other officials who have been baying for Senga's exit since Wavinya retained him from Governor Alfred Mutua's government. So revenue bleeding and shortfalls will escalate,rather than abate.