MCAs reject top Governor Samboja nominee

Governor Granton Samboja. [File, Standard]

Taita Taveta County Assembly members have rejected Governor Granton Samboja's nominee for the devolution, public service and administration docket, Munyembo Mwachala.

The assembly, however, approved five other nominees for appointment by the governor.

Those whose names were approved for appointment are Cromel Mwakirungu (health services), Andrew Mlawasi (finance and economic  planning), Julius Mghanga (lands, mining and housing), Milka Righa (trade, tourism, gender, culture and co-operatives) and Laban Mwashighadi (youth, sports, vocational training and social services).

In its report, the appointment committee chaired by the assembly speaker Meshack Maganga dropped Mr Munyembo, a long-serving administrator, on grounds of gender and regional balance.

Two-thirds rule

The committee faulted the governor for the nomination, saying he did not take into consideration the two-thirds gender rule as outlined in Section 35 of the County Government Act.

The committee added that the nomination was contrary to Article 27 (8) of the Constitution, as read with Section 35 (2) (a), which says county assemblies shall observe the two-thirds gender rule in the approval process.

Out of the six nominees, only one is a woman.