By Martin Masai
Governor Wavinya Ndeti's government has advertised positions for Chief Officers, days after leaving out her Devolved Unit Minister in a stealth mini cabinet shuffle.
Today, she put up for grabs the post of Chief Officers for Inspectorate, Fire Fighting and Emergency Services,
Public Communications and Sewerage and Sanitation.
Last week, Wavinya, in communication from County Secretary Dr Muya Ndambuki, left out DU minister Joyce Muindi from a list of ministers shuffled from office. Catherine Mutanu was moved to Agriculture while Joel Nzomo was taken to Devolved Unit from Agriculture.Mutanu will however continue to act as water minister. Ndeti also moved the Chief Officer for Inspectorate,Fire Fighting and Emergency Services Col(Rtd.) Gideon Wathi Mbithi to Trade Ministry to serve as Chief Officer for Innovation, hours after a fist fight with Majority Leader Mr. Nicholas Nzioka.
While both separately denied the scuffle, eye witnesses said the officials were pulled apart amid a fierce exchange of blows.
Wathi replaced another chief officer, Joseph Mutwiwa, who left under a cloud of fake papers.
Days earlier, Chief Officer- Public Communications Mr. Dan Mule Lemba threw in the towel for yet unexplained reasons.
The last Chief Officer for Sewerage and Sanitation was Paul Muwili Wambua, and not Ms. Winnie Musyoki as earlier,and regrettably, indicated. Wambua reportedly quit the post in stormy circumstances. The post is now held by Water Chief Officer Mr Yunis Guliye on Acting basis, notwithstanding hue and cry about 80 dams that allegedly consumed over Kes 300m, without evident commensurate works being carried out.
Nearly a week after the quiet reshuffle that left Joyce Muindi floating, Governor Wavinya has remained silent over her act, notwithstanding public anxiety, especially in Matungulu, over Ms Muindi's fate and many others who leave unannounced.
As we went to press, Governor Ndeti had not responded to The Anchor's enquiry about the appointments and neither did the County Secretary pick or return our calls.
The public is left wondering what happened at the DU offices that forced the exit of two top officials on the same day - one to another office and the other to the unknown. Was it just the fight?
A day after Col. Wathi's departure, former Nairobi PPO Francis Munyambu, was introduced as Director of Inspectorate, Fire Fighting and Emergency Services - a post that was neither advertised nor filled competitively.
Sources privy to his recruitment say he wields powers previously executed by the Chief Officer - yet he had not been vetted by the Machakos County Assembly.
Observers are watching keenly to see if Munyambu will apply for the advertised post and therefore subject himself to scrutiny.
Staff in the department are waiting to see how Munyambu will run the department where his son- Jackson
Wambua Munyambu is the Inspectorate's Deputy County Commander.
Wathi's departure from the office leaves a great deal of unfinished enforcement issues in the municipalities where staff,MCAs, and government officials, including ministers, are fighting to occupy empty spaces with kiosks
Informed sources also tell of an "impossible working environment" for the exiting and future Governor's Communications Chief Officer.
The communications team has close to 100 staff members who include journalists,bloggers, keyboard trialists, social media influencers, and other loyalists who only take orders from undisclosed officials. Some are placed in ministries where ministers use the to manage their social media pages.
According to the Governor, the media function is domiciled in Finance Minister's office, the all too powerful Mr.Muia Kuyu.
"For one to succeed in that office, one needs to succumb to the reigning disorder, see no evil,hear no evil. But be always ready to take the blame when matters go southern, " said an official in the governor's office.
