County CECs accused of dismal performance

West Pokot, Kenya: West Pokot County Executive Committee (CEC) members have come under sharp criticism from a section of county assembly members (MCAs) and the public over alleged dismal performance in the last financial year.

The CECs have been accused of undertaking projects not approved by the county assembly and of failure to submit timely progress reports of projects they have undertaken.

In a recent assembly session, enraged MCAs took turns to castigate the executives.

Deputy Speaker David Losilin asked county governor Simon Kachapin to bring to justice the executives found to have misappropriated government funds.

Mnagei ward MCA James Kapelion said CECs have been relying on the county integrated development plan for their development projects, while disregarding other legal institutions.

"The CECs have been using the county integrated plan to come up with their own projects that have not been approved by this assembly. This will no longer be tolerated since we are going to be more vigilant," he warned.

Kapelion said CECs should be compelled to submit their work plans to the various assembly committees so that members can scrutinise how they intend to use amounts allocated to them.

POOR SCORECARD

Sook ward MCA Wilson Takaramoi said he does not expect to see CECs submit supplementary budgets to the assembly, saying they ought to ensure their plans are in order before the final budget is tabled.

"CECs exonerated themselves, in the last financial year, saying they did not have chief officers. Since this is no longer the case, we expect them to strictly observe set budget time lines," said Riwo ward MCA Lokariyepe Plapan.

Nominated MCA Nancy Juma said some officers in county government departments seem unaware of their roles and how they should use funds allocated to them.

Some members of the public said CECs act like sycophants, following the governor wherever he goes at the expense of doing their jobs.