Lamu civil servants told to serve public or be sacked

Coast Regional Commissioner John Elungata flanked by his administration officers addresses locals at the Lamu Island's Mukunguni Square on April 3, 2019. [Maarufu Mohamed, Standard]

Coast Regional Commissioner (RC) John Elungata has urged public servants in Lamu County to take service delivery to residents of the Lamu Archipelago seriously.

Elungata said public officers should act with professionalism in their interaction with the people they serve.

The regional administer spoke in Lamu where he said he visited to listen to the people following complaints of poor service delivery.

''The government will not tolerate any laxity, slackness and corruption on the part of public servants in the execution of their duties,'' Elungata said.

He directed the Lamu County Commissioner, Mr Joseph Kanyiri not to tolerate public servants who fail to perform their duties effectively.

He said Lamu people have for long complained that public servants were treating them with disdain and that most of the times were away from their work stations.

''Enough is enough. We are paid to work and must ensure that we do exactly that,'' the Regional Commissioner said.

He said civil servants should carry their functions with highest integrity and should be mindful of the people they serve.

At the same time, Elungata said the government will address the historical land injustices and investigate claims that influential people are disinheriting locals in land allocations.

He promised to ensure that those who illegally benefited from land allocations at the expense of genuine land owners will return the land to the rightful owners.

On his part Coast Region Police Commander Marcus Ochola said he will address complaints of police harassment and that residents should expect action against rogue police officers within 21 days.

''We as the Kenya Police Service are duty bound to serve all and shall abide by oath to ensure that we give the best to citizens of this nation in areas where we are deployed to serve,'' he said.