Details emerge in CO'S
dramatic suspension
By Anchor Reporters
DETAILS are emerging about the suspension last week of Wavinya Ndeti's Trade and External Relations Chief Officer Mr Simeon Kitheka.
Mr Kitheka was suspended on May 22, 2023 via a letter fired to him by County Secretary Dr Muya Ndambuki with a copy to Trade, Industry, Tourism and Innovation minister Ms Mutua, Finance, Revenue Management, Economic Planning and ICT Mr . and Governor Ndeti.
The letter referred to a Memo written to Mr Ktheka by Ms Mutua on May 19,2023, whose contents remain unknown. An analysis on the matter- given the wording of the letter of suspension show that Ms Mutua wrote a forceful, yet inconclusive memo, forcing Dr Ndambuki to enforce it saying …Vide this memo, you are suspended from office until further notice. Take notice that during the period, you are not allowed to transact any business on behalf of your department or represent the Government of Machakos County in any capacity”.
It now transpires that Kitheka’s problems originate from his dalliance with the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Kitheka, who until his appointment as Chief Officer served as Director representing Eastern region and chairman of the Chamber’s Finance Committee has been involved in the on-going chamber campaigns and supporting Mr Eric Ruto who wants to oust current KNCCI President Mr Richard Ngatia. As we went to Press, the chamber's official website shows he is a bona-fide official.
Top officials enjoy a monthly allowance of at least Kes 40,000 plus a sitting and travel stipend.
Questions abound over this matter.Could he have been earning two salaries each month; did he resign from KNCCI; was any due diligence done by the County Assembly of Machakos when he was vetted?
Kitheka is alleged to have been traversing parts of the country campaigning for Ruto. He has allegedly visited Mombasa, Embu, Nyeri, Kitui, Makueni, Nakuru and Trans- Nzoia counties.Even then, the Kitheka campaigns in Machakos, Kitui and Makueni have born no fruit as his candidate has lost to Mr Ngatia's side.
Kitheka hit cross winds in Trans-Nzoia on May 18, 2023 during the KNCCI Branch elections. He ran into trouble for supporting a candidate running against another who is favoured by Governor George Natembeya.
During the ensuing skirmish, residents are seen in the video clip admonishing Governor Ndeti for allegedly sending Kitheka on the campaign trail to campaign against their favourite candidate. Police had to intervene to stop a fight between the parties as it was alleged that outsiders were meddling in Kitale affairs.
All these developments were unfolding without Governor Ndeti’s approval. First, she was unaware that Kitheka was in Kitale. Second, she was unaware that he was still involved in Chamber matters. Third, Wavinya was not briefed that a Machakos County vehicle had been deployed to Kitale. To make matters worse, for Kitheka it was outright conflict of interest, being an public official serving the trade docket- to participate in the chamber elections.
So when the riot unfolded in Kitale and phone calls started rocking the networks, Kitheka stood exposed to adverse administrative action at home as his minister could neither account for his absence, his use of official vehicle nor his activities around chamber issues.
The Anchor's analysis of the issue shows the memo to Kitheka was written a day after the Kitale riot. It may even be fair to speculate that the memo may have accused Kitheka of absconding from duty.
A clip that circulated in Social Media a day before the Memo and Letter show an agitated crowd, accusing Governor Ndeti of sending Kitheka to support someone not supported by Governor Natembeya. The violence in Kitale resulted in postponement of the elections to a later date.
Days later, Wavinya issued a warning to unnamed government officials about behavior she termed uncouth, telling them to watch their ways.
Speaking at the Machakos Convention Centre, the county boss, speaking in a sarcastic demeanor called out those with a tendency of misusing their positions, saying that some are known for hoping from bear hall to another, bragging about the positions they hold in her government. She further advised all the County workers on the importance of maintaining a good county image.
Efforts to reach out to Mr Kitheka for a comment by our reporter bore no fruit as he did not answer or return 2 calls made to him.
Neither could we confirm whether he had surrendered keys to his official vehicle at the expiry of the 24 hour notice issued by the County Secretary in the suspension letter.
Questions are flying around as to why Kitheka was required to surrender the car keys and not his driver. Could he have been driving his official vehicle? If so, was he authorised to drive it? So where is his official driver?
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