Anxiety in Tana River over looming top level sackings

Governor Dhadho Godhana.

Top executives and chief officers in the county could be moved or sacked.

Reports indicate Governor Dhadho Godhana is about to sack three chief officers for alleged incompetence and failing to prepare county budget leading to "embarrassing" audit queries.

Godhana was grilled over a Sh596 million variance in the 2017/2018 fiscal year by the Senate's Public Accounts and Investments Committee last month.

During the probe the governor and finance team was tasked to explain how the money was spent, but failed forcing the Senate to offer 14 more days.

Among those targeted, according to sources, are an official in the finance department, a director and a chief officer.

In Hola yesterday,  civil society groups asked for arrests of the officers who misled the county chief.

Mr Abdimalik Marwan of human right group also wants an audit report over the variance for the sake of public trust and accountability.

He told the governor to sack the officers involved rather than reshuffle them. 

"How will we continue losing huge amount as we watch," he posed.

"The Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission should intervene."

Marwan asked the governor to emulate his Taita Taveta colleague, Governor Granton Samboja, "who sacks rather than rotate staff."

Three executive and chief officer are also under investigation after they were spotted, allegedly, soliciting kick backs from contractors.