Tolgos advertises Chief Officer Positions four months after suspensions

Governor Alex Tolgos has advertised the jobs of eight chief officers he suspended last November amid calls to tame wastage.

Mr Tolgos suspended all the chief officers following claims by contractors that they were not being paid on time upon completing county projects.

The governor’s move sparked criticism from Senator Kipchumba Murkomen and a section of Members of the County Assembly.

In an advertisement posted on the county’s website yesterday, the County Public Service Board advertised the jobs, signaling possible sacking of the suspended accounting officers.

The county boss said five-year contracts of the eight chief officers who served in his first term would end this month.

He, however, could not explain whether the suspended officials were at liberty to reapply for their advertised positions.

Tolgos, who has recently complained that his county has been receiving an unfair share of equitable share from the National Treasury, said the suspended officials failed to utilise about Sh600 million in the 2017/18 financial year.

The suspended chief officers were Jeremiah Chengwony (Finance), Caroline Magut (Youth, Sports and Gender), Ishmael Chelang’a (Health), Titus Ayabei (ICT and Public Service), John Cheboi (Roads), Netty Jemutai (Tourism), Pius Cheserek (Agriculture) and Boaz Changach (Water).

Leadership style

Murkomen has criticised the governor’s style of leadership, claiming the suspended officials had been drawing full salaries while on suspension.

He challenged the governor to employ effective chief officers who would help manage county resources better.

“Elgeyo Marakwet receives adequate funds from the national Government. What is lacking in the county is prudent use of resources. The governor should eliminate wastage by getting rid of ghost workers in the county’s payroll,” the Senate leader of majority said.

Deputy County Assembly Speaker Christopher Chemosong told Tolgos the House would do thorough vetting of chief officers. He called on the Executive to nominate the best.

The Arror MCA said the assembly was kicking off what he termed a thorough oversight to establish wastage in the county's Executive.