Governor Mwadime sacks three advisors amid graft probe

Taita Taveta Governor Andrew Mwadime. [File, Standard]

Taita Taveta Governor Andrew Mwadime has sacked three advisors amid pressure from the county assembly and Gen Zs.

Members of the County Assembly and youth have threatened to storm Mwatate county government headquarters to demand accountability.

The governor sacked the economic advisor Thomas Njumwa, director of protocol Phil Mwambingu, and political advisor Richard Lukindo.

Chief of Staff Pamphil Mwashinga said the three have already received their dismissal letters.

“I have seen the dismissal letters the governor has signed, he is currently on official duty in Italy and the letters have already been dispatched to the affected officials,” said Mwashinga.

Chief of Staff said the decision came after alleged misuse of public funds for the 2023 World War One commemoration.

Mwadime had earlier sent four officers on compulsory leave following a resolution of the county assembly that demanded action to be taken against them.

The officials were however reinstated one month before the conclusion of investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC). 

The governor’s move triggered public protests forcing the assembly to summon the officials and the executive to explain how the funds were utilised.

Mwashinga noted that the four officers sent on compulsory leave went to court to challenge the recommendations of the House as questions emerged on why the governor decided to reinstate them before the conclusion of corruption investigations by the EACC.  

He said the House approved and adopted the report of the committee on Tourism on the 2022 World War One (WWI) fund utilization compelling the governor to suspend four senior county government officials accused of allegedly embezzling over Sh4 million.

The House report said the four officials played an active role or influenced most decisions revolving around the execution of the WWI commemoration event as they were in attendance in various meetings and were adversely mentioned in the public domain.

 “The county suffered a financial loss to the tune of more than Sh4 million as no value for money was achieved, public financial procedures were deliberately violated by those who were directly involved in the execution of the event according to the documents reviewed," said the report.

"Cases of forgery and misappropriation of public funds were clearly manifested in various receipts and invoices to support the expenditures of the event. Consequently, the validity and authenticity of the expenditure amounting to Sh4,048,337 for the WWI event is in doubt.” 

The report was tabled before the House after the affected officials were grilled to shed light on the use of the WWI funds and verification of their qualifications to hold public offices.

It emerged from the report that one of the advisors has an international computer driving license as the highest academic qualification.

“One of the advisors does not have a degree to qualify for job group R where he is currently placed,” former Tourism committee chairperson Lilian Mwangoi told the Speaker.

Mwashinga said the four accused lost a case in the High Court and the matter was later referred to the Labour Court for determination.

“The governor has decided to terminate the contracts of the three officials and they are free to seek legal redress. There is also still a chance to challenge the matter in court. The officials also have an olive branch to help themselves,” added the chief of staff.

Earlier, the MCAs declared six positions of advisors created by the governor null and void.