KENYA : Members of the Laikipia County assembly tabled an impeachment motion at the floor of the house.
The MCAs, are contemplating dissolution of the local revenue board of seven members due to allegations of graft and extortion.
The, motion tabled by Thingithu ward Member of County Assembly Stephen Ndiritu alleged that members of the revenue body are extorting job seekers, seeking sexual favors, in-exchange for jobs in the county, hence called for its disbandment.
“We want to send them home for misuse of office through extorting job seekers and sexual harassment. They are tainting the county yet we have qualified people to conduct credible recruitment exercises for revenue collectors,” claimed Ndiritu.
The revenue body was assigned to recruit and employ staff by the Laikipia governor Joshua Irungu’s administration, while waiting for a fully constituted county public service board, which came into office barely a month ago.
The Segera ward MCA Salim Edum alleged that the body had recruited 250 revenue collectors who received their appointment letters, but which were later revoked.
However, some youth applied for revenue collecting job and received their appointment letters, which were later cancelled. It is demoralizing and yet the government is keen on uplifting the lives of young people,” said Edum.
“How will they uplift the lives of young people if they are blackmailing them through job applications, if you don’t give money, no opportunities, the current board should pave way for competent people,” claimed the Segera MCA.
On his part, Nominated MCA Amina Hussein revealed that the applicants were being charged between 60, 000 to Sh.80, 000 for each job offer.
Elsewhere, The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has conducted a key sensitisation meeting with the Narok County Government Executive to discuss effective corruption prevention measures and promote ethical governance.
The meeting, held in Maasai Mara, was an important step in educating county leaders on how to adhere to high standards of professionalism and good governance.
In an address to the press, Deputy Governor Tamalinye Koech highlighted the importance of the meeting, stating that it was aimed at equipping government executives with the knowledge necessary to combat corruption and strengthen leadership within the county administration.
“The training is essential to promote good governance and strengthen leadership within the Narok County Government. By ensuring our staff understand ethical practices, we can eliminate corruption and foster professionalism.”
The EACC Regional Commissioner, Kipsang Sampai, led the training session and commended the Narok County Government for its commitment to fostering good governance. He stressed that collaboration with the EACC is essential to ensuring accountability, integrity, and transparency in public service.
Still on Counties, The Kiambu County Government, in partnership with the National Government, is constructing a modern three-level market in Githunguri town, at a cost of Sh550 million.
The National Government will contribute Sh400 million, while the County Government will allocate Sh150 million for the project, which aims at uplifting trade and commerce in the area.
Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi said that the market’s design, which was developed by the county’s Public Works Directorate, has several features to ensure a conducive business environment.
“It features a basement car parking lot with a capacity of 178 vehicles, the first floor will have 655 parking slots, a social hall, a crèche (daycare), and a dispensary, while the second floor will host an ICT hub, a restaurant, and 768 stalls,” Wamatangi stated.
He continued, “I promise a smooth, temporary relocation of traders to facilitate the construction and want to assure them that the allocation of slots in the new market would be done transparently to ensure that only bona fide traders would benefit.”
Governor Wamatangi further stated that the Githunguri market will be constructed in two phases, with the project expected to provide a substantial boost to local businesses.
He added that the first phase is set to benefit approximately 2,080 traders, showcasing a commitment to supporting the area’s economic growth.
Area Member of Parliament, Gathoni wa Muchomba, emphasized the importance of the market, urging the County Government to ensure transparency throughout the relocation process and to benefit local traders.
Homa Bay.
The fight against climate change in Homa Bay County gained significant momentum as Governor Gladys Wanga disbursed Sh12.3 million to 82 community groups across the county.
The funds, totalling Sh150,000 for each group, were issued through the Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Programme, a joint effort between the National Government, County Government, the World Bank, and other donors.
Governor Wanga announced that the money will be used to plant 100,000 tree seedlings in nursery beds across the county, with the aim of selling the seedlings to governmental and non-governmental agencies, as well as planting them to increase tree cover.
“We are committed to buying seedlings from these groups once they mature. This applies to both my government and the National Government,” Governor Wanga assured.
She also expressed optimism that the programme would help tackle climate change by improving tree cover and combating the adverse effects of deforestation, which has led to the degradation of key water towers like Gwassi, Kodera, and Lambwe.
“Droughts and floods in Homa Bay are a direct result of climate change. We are targeting more than eight million seedlings to combat this,” she said.