By NAFTAL MAKORI

Nyamira,Kenya:Report by Leader of Majority claims candidates are not qualified for executive jobs due to past conduct

The Nyamira Governor John Nyagarama received a blow after the County Assembly rejected three nominees to the county executive committee.

Caleb Manyaga, whom the County Assembly’s appointments committee had questioned on his role in the Sh7 billion Triton petroleum scandal, was among those rejected.

Mr Manyaga is the former Finance Manager at Kenya Pipeline Company and was dismissed alongside ten other senior managers after the Triton Oil Scandal.

The appointments committee report that was tabled in the House by leader of majority Beauttah Omanga recommended the replacement of Manyaga (Finance and Planning), James Gichana (Water and Irrigation) and Dorcas Marionya (Health Services).

The report alleged that Manyaga and Gichana did not pass the integrity test given that they had been dismissed from their past top positions due to corruption related reasons. Ms Marionya was rejected on grounds that she lacked five years of experience as required.

Gichana was also rejected on grounds that he was laid off from the Pyrethrum Board of Kenya due to allegations that he occasioned loss of over Sh430 million.

Although the County Assembly finally voted to adopt the report, Mr Samwel Nyachama of Itibo ward defended Manyaga and Gichana, arguing that their right to innocence until proven guilty must prevail.

sufficient evidence

“Please honourable members don’t make assumptions without evidence. No court has found them guilty of any impropriety; instead they have gone to court to challenge wrongful dismissal,” said Nyanchama.

Fred Omayio of Magwagwa ward asked the committee to table concrete evidence against Manyaga and Gichana. “You are denying qualified professionals a chance to serve this county. There is no sufficient evidence to warrant rejection,” he added.

During vetting earlier last week, Manyaga exonerated himself from the Triton Oil saga, saying he was erroneously dismissed. He has challenged the dismissal in court.

Mr Henry Ombongi, was also rejected as nominee to the County Public Service Board.