Sonko replaces suspended Nairobi County officials

Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has replaced the 16 officials suspended over deaths from Precious Talent School building collapse.

Acting County Secretary Leboo Morintat on Monday told The Standard that the Governor filled the vacuum immediately after the suspensions.

Leboo explained that the deputies to officers suspended immediately took over and would be working closely with the other two CEC’s appointed in an acting capacity. The acting CECs are Pauline Kahiga (Finance and Economic Planning) and Veska Kangogo (CEC Health).

“The replacements were immediately done. Public service does not operate on a vacuum because it is an ongoing process meant to address the concerns of the public, who in this case are Nairobi residents,” stated Leboo.

Last week, Governor Mike Sonko suspended 16 county officials mainly drawn from the urban planning, inspectorate and sub-county administration departments, over what he termed as the impunity that led to the death of eight pupils after a school building collapsed in Dagoreti on Monday.

‘Super’ CEC Charles Kerich who is also the Nairobi County Finance Executive and Health executive Mohammed Dagane were among the suspended officials over the incident that left 64 injured.

“I am convinced beyond doubt that drastic measures have to be taken to reverse the effects of years of flouting Physical Planning Regulations and restore order and sanity before illegal structures claim more lives as has repeatedly happened before, “said Sonko.

Through a statement, the Governor announced that he had suspended the officials with immediate effect to facilitate ongoing investigations that have commenced into the unfortunate incident and ensure the conclusion of the ongoing comprehensive systems audit in the Urban Planning Department.

They include Charles Kerich, who is the immediate former CECM for Lands and Urban Planning, Health CEC Mohammed Dagane responsible for general public health and safety and Justus Kathenge the County Chief Officer for Urban Planning who is already serving a suspension.

Jusper Ndeke, Director Planning Compliance and Enforcement, Dominic Mutegi, Development Management Director, Ochanda Ondari Fredrick, Assistant Director Enforcement, Ruth Waruguru, Director Urban Planning, Thomas Dudi, Assistant Director Planning, Simon Onyango, Development Officer (regularization of buildings/approval of architectural plans) and Alex Mucheru in charge of Development Control (overseeing approvals of buildings and schools on behalf of public health and safety) were also suspended.

Others include Mackline Saitera in charge of Development Control (approval of building plans and school inspection), Edna Guantai, In charge of the approval of public buildings and schools on behalf of public health, Joyce Kyengo, Dagoretti South Sub-County Administrator and Lucy Wairimu Munyika, Dagoretti South Sub-County Commander.

Sylivia Mwikali Nthinga the Dagoretti South Sub-County Planning Officer and Okal Kennedy the Ngando Ward Administrator were also suspended.