Akaranga puts ‘lazy’ staff on notice as four are sacked

By ERIC LUNGAI and FRANCIS ONTOMWA

Governor Moses Akaranga has sent a stern warning to officers working in the Vihiga County government over incompetence.

This comes just a few days after four of his county executives were handed dismissal letters as recommended by the county assembly.  

“I will not tolerate officers at the county who are lazy and have failed in their service delivery to the public,” Akaranga warned.

He said he was closely monitoring their performance and asked those sympathising and making noise after the four members of the County Executive Committee were sent packing, to shut up.

“Recently the County Assembly recommended the dismissal of four county executives and some people are complaining instead of working. We must learn to work according to the Constitution,” said Akaranga.

He said his administration had no room for lazy officers and warned such public servants that they would be disciplined. Akaranga was addressing a meeting of officers from the county and other stakeholders at the county headquarters.

The governor said he was angered by failure of some members of the cabinet, sub county and ward administrators to attend the meeting, which was very important to all of them.

“It is very wrong for some officers to be away when we are holding such an important meeting with residents where their input is mandatory,” he said.

The governor handed dismissal letters to the four cabinet members following a recommendation by the county assembly over alleged abuse of office and incompetency.  Those who were axed include Evans Kaiga (Treasury), Elmanos Vodoti (Education) Johnstone Khejeri (Public Service and Administration) and Newton Okwiya (Tourism and Trade).

Traffic rules

The governor asked residents to be on the lookout for officers who were not working and single them out for immediate action. He noted that he gave the officers an opportunity to serve the people indiscriminately and he would not sit back and watch as some of them fail to live to the expectation of residents.

Akaranga said the appointment of sub county and ward administrators was one of the key achievements of his government.

Meanwhile about 95 per cent of public service vehicles in Western have complied with key provisions of the new traffic regulations.

Western Regional Traffic Enforcement Officer Evans Getembe has said majority of vehicle operators have embraced the regulations targeting to reduce road carnage and instill discipline in the sector.

Speaking yesterday during a consultative forum with matatu owners in Kakamega, Getembe said the region was adjusting to the new laws adding that patrols had been intensified to ensure no one flouted the rules.

“We have had consultative meetings with Sacco representatives and gone down to the roads to speak with drivers and conductors. I am happy that majority have welcomed the traffic regulations. We are not going to relent in our quest to ensure our roads are made safer,” Getembe told The Standard. The traffic officer however said about 100 vehicles had been impounded in the last week and already those in contravention of the law had been arraigned and charged in court.

On Monday, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure Engineer Michael Kamau indicated that there was a significant reduction in the number of deaths on the roads since the rules came into force.

Kakamega Sacco Chairman Cleophas Shimanyula said matatu owners would co-operate with law enforcers to ensure success of the rules. He, however called for restraint and understanding from all players.

“ It’s not all rosy for matatu operators, the rules are a bit expensive but we are all in support to see to it that we reduce road carnage,” said Shimanyula.