Governor Samboja picks teacher for CEC post

Taita Taveta Governor Granton Samboja (pictured) has nominated Mwatunge Primary School head teacher Dephence Mwandoe for Devolution, Public Service and administration post.

If her nomination sails through the assembly, she will be the 16th former teacher serving in Samboja's administration.

Samboja says Ms Mwandoe, in her late 50s and along serving teacher brings a wealth of experience in administration in the public service

Ms Mwandoe's name was forwarded to the county assembly yesterday for vetting and subsequent appointment by the governor. 

Mwandoe’s nomination comes after the MCAs rejected the governor’s nominee for the docket, Munyembo Mwachala, on gender and regional balance grounds.

Mwachala is a long serving administrator who was dropped on grounds of gender and regional balance. 

Speaker Meshack Maganga-led appointment committee faulted the governor saying he did not take into consideration the two thirds gender rule as outlined in section 35 of the County Government Act. 

The committee said Samboja’s nomination was contrary to article 27 (8) of the constitution of Kenya 2010, as read with section 35 (2) (a), to the effect that the county assembly shall observe the two thirds gender rule in their approval process. 

Out of the 10 executives, only two are women. While approving the four executives, the MCAs directed the governor to appoint a female from Voi Sub County saying that the region was given a raw deal in appointments. 

To heed the MCAs call, Samboja appointed Ms Mwandoe who comes from Ngolia location in Voi Sub County. 

So far, four newly appointed executives were last week sworn-in and took over their dockets in a ceremony presided over by Wundanyi Resident Magistrate Emiliy Nyakundi. 

But the Health Services Executive Dr Cromwell Mwakirungu was absent. County Legal Director Edwin Chahilu said the executive did not attend the wearing-in ceremony due to some constraints. 

Among those who took oath of office included Milk Nyambura Righa (Trade, Tourism, Gender, Culture and Cooperatives), Kubo Mlawasi Andrew (Finance and Planning), Julius Mwandawiro Mganga (Lands, Mining and Housing) and Laban Mwashighadi (Youth, Sports, Vocational Training and social services).