Minister dissolves local authorities

By Lonah Kibet

Local Government Minister Paul Otuoma on Tuesday dissolved all local authorities rendering all mayoral offices vacant.

He asked mayors and councillors to immediately surrender all council properties.

“Council clerks should inform the ministry of any council property that have not been returned by January 30, 2012,” said Otuoma during a Press conference held in his office.

He said all imprests and advances owed by councillors and public officers should be recovered and returns made to the office and clearance certificates signed by respective town or county clerks. Councillors’ allowances should be paid up to and including January 14, 2013.

The Local Authorities are also expected to constitute committees whose membership shall be heads of departments expected to make decisions on routine matters of the council.

“The decision of the committees shall be subject to policy decisions where all policy matters usually dealt with by the councils or any of the council committees must be referred to the ministry for approval. All matters related to recruitment, promotion and dismissal should be deferred while disciplinary cases should be handled in accordance with the existing regulations,” he said.

Land transactions

He said the committees should note that all matters related to public land transactions remain suspended and that the procurement decisions shall be subject to the Public Procurement and Dismissal Act, the approved council budgets, cash flow statements and performance contract of2012/2013.

Meanwhile, his Permanent Secretary Karega Mutahi questioned a strike notice by Kenya Local Government Workers Union saying all salary review without the involvement of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission would be unconstitutional.