Governor Mutua suspends two executives in purge

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua has suspended two ministers for poor performance.

Those suspended are Trade executive Francis Mwaka and his Public Service counterpart Kimeu Kimeu.

Both have been suspended for two months and have been put on half a salary.

Dozens of other senior officers have also been sent home due to incompetence.   

In a statement released on Wednesday, Mr Mutua said he was compelled to take the action in order to improve service delivery in the county.

Those affected have been directed to surrender all county documents and properties.

The properties include vehicles and laptops. They have also been told to keep off the precincts of county government offices.

Tourism Executive Ruth Mutua will take over Mr Mwaka’s duties while county secretary, Grace Munguti will assume Mr Kimeu’s duties in an acting capacity. 

Mutua also dismissed the Chief Officer in charge of Special Programmes, Research and Development, Michael Maina.

Those served with warning letters are Urbanus Musyoka (Agriculture) and Titus Kavila.

The purge also affected three other chief officers, Carlos Kioko (Youth and Sports), James Mutunga (Forensics and Inspectorate Services) and Joel Mwova (Medical Services).

Mr Kioko and Mr Mutunga have been suspended on half salary for three months while Dr Mwova stays away from her duties for two months also on half salary.

Mutua has assigned the acting Chief Officer for Tourism and Culture Victor Muniafu, duties previously held by Mr Kioko.

The Chief Officer for Public Health Lucas Mwove will perform Mwova’s duties.

The governor complained that despite having empowered his cabinet and chief officers to efficiently undertake their duties, some had failed to meet his expectations.

“This institutional support requires government officers to stay focused on delivering their respective mandates without being reminded,” Mutua said.

He also cautioned public officers from absenteeism and absconding of duty.

“It is unacceptable for public officers not to come to work when because I am engaged in meetings outside Machakos, or I am out of the country,” Mutua said.