Human rights activists based in Bungoma County have asked area governor Wycliffe Wangamati to appoint other people to take up positions that have been left vacant following the recent mass resignations as they seek elective posts.
Speaking in Bungoma town yesterday, the lobby group members including Citizens for good governance director Philip Wanyonyi Wekesa and Torch Africa director Barasa Nyukuri stated that services have been paralyzed in the county government due to lack of substantive people to handle such posts.
“When some civil servants leave office they must be replaced immediately so that services are not paralyzed, government services should not stop because they have left office, they need to be replaced,” said Wekesa.
Nyukuri stated that residents should continue receiving government services all the time and called on Wangamati to act with speed and fill up those positions.
“The governor should either elevate their deputies or pick somebody else to head those positions because there is no vacuum in government,” he said.
The duo noted that continued delay in filling those positions was hurting locals and called on the County CEO to speed up the process.
“A government office is a busy one and Mr.Wangamati must already have executed some changes to ensure that all government ministries and departments are performing well so as to build confidence in the local Mwananchi,” said Nyukuri.
Wekesa stated that money has been allocated to run those offices and lack of services will be hurting any tax payer.
Among those who tendered their resignation to try their hands in politics include deputy chief of staff Job Chelong’o who is eyeing the Webuye East parliamentary seat, Agriculture Chief officer John Wasike who is going for Webuye West MP’s seat.
Others are Governor’s advisors deputy director Bifwoli Wakoli (Lands and emerging issues) contesting for Bumula MP’s seat, Nancy Kibaba (Youth and Bodaboda) also eyeing for woman Rep seat, Political advisor Leonard Mayende for East Sang’alo ward MCA seat, special programs advisor Carolyne Buyela for Webuye East parliamentary seat and logistics deputy director Simiyu Mutaki and several staff members.