Oparanya reshuffles Cabinet, drops two executive officers

Governor Wycliffe Oparanya has reshuffled his Cabinet, dropping two executive officers amid claims of incompetence and lack of effective service delivery to the electorate.

In the reshuffle, the governor dropped Education, Science and Technology Executive Violet Amugira and replaced her with Sacred Heart Mukumu Girls High School Principal Ebby Kanguha.

Ms Kanguha is taking an early retirement from teaching. Mr Oparanya also dropped Social Services, Youth and Sports Executive Jamin Shitsukane and in his place appointed military-career man Major Suleiman Sumba.

The powerful Finance and Planning docket held by Paul Otsola was split into two: County Treasury, and Planning and Investments. The latter will be headed by the Deputy Governor Philip Kutima.

Monitoring

The Planning department will deal with among others County Integrated Development Programme, implementation of county projects, investments, monitoring and evaluation.

Moses Sande, an advocate of the High Court was appointed as the county’s legal advisor and will also at as the county attorney in the Office of the Governor.

“Although there has been tremendous performance from our County Executive Committee Members in the various ministries they were appointed to, I have decided to make changes to spur efficient service delivery to the electorate,” Oparanya said.

He said the county government should work around the clock to fulfill the promises and pledges it made to the public during the campaigns.

Driving agenda

“We pledged efficient and timely service delivery devoid of corruption to the people who elected us.

“In order to deliver our pledges, we should form a team of people with integrity to drive our agenda,” he said.

Oparanya said the changes made will help and guide his administration to achieve the promised development projects.

“I expect those appointed to be accountable as set out in the Constitution. In performance of your duties, you are expected to interact and be accountable to the county assembly and the public,” he added.

The governor explained: “The changes and appointments take effect immediately except the new appointed executives, chief officers and members of the town committees who are subject to vetting by the assembly.”

The other new face in the executive is Collins Matemba, who is the current chief officer, Education.

Dr Matenda was nominated as the Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works executive, replacing Alfred Matianyi, who was moved to Lands, Housing, Urban Area and Physical Planning.

Matemba and Kanguha will wait for the County Assembly to vet and pass their names for formal appointment.

Other changes made by the governor include; Elsie Muhanda, who has been moved from Health Services department to Trade, Industrialisation and Tourism.

She has been replaced by Peninah Mukabane who until her new assignment was the Water, Environment and Natural Resources executive, which is now under Robert Sumbi.

Oparanya also nominated for appointment three chief officers and members of town management committees for Kakamega and Mumias towns.

At the height of forming his first Cabinet, Oparanya was faced with a daunting task of selecting his team members because of the numerous competing interests that were involved.

Over 400 applicants expressed interest to be part of his 10-man Cabinet. The many applications delayed the process of naming the officers.