Two city board members sacked for lack of degrees

Former Kisumu Mayor Sam Okello. [Phillip Orwa/Standard]

Former Kisumu Mayor Sam Okello is one the two members of the Kisumu City Board who have been sent packing over lack of degrees.

Okello, who represented Association of Urban Areas and Cities, and Ken Akoko, an individual member, were last Wednesday notified of their sacking through letters signed by acting County Secretary George Okong’o.

In the letters, Mr Okong’o noted that the sacking was in a bid to comply with the Urban Areas and Cities (Amendment) Act, 2019, which revised qualifications for the board membership. The Act came into force in March, this year.

“As you may be aware, the Urban Areas and Cities (Amendment) Act, 2019, provides for qualifications of the members of city board (new sub-section 6) thus; a bachelor’s degree from an institution recognised in Kenya, a distinguished career in a medium-level management position in either the private or the public sector, at least seven years post-qualification professional experience, and satisfies the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution,” read the letter in part.

The new law also scrapped the position of the board member representing Association of Urban Areas and Cities, which will be taken up by the Urban Planning executive, posing a second blow to Okello who held the position.

Contested seat

Okello served as Kisumu Mayor between 2008 and 2013 before he unsuccessfully vied for Kisumu Central parliamentary seat in 2017, while Akoko is a Kisumu-based businessman with interest in local politics.

The two were among 11 members of the city board who took office last July on a five-year term, and whose emoluments depended on their sittings.

They will, however, not be compensated for the remaining part of their term, with the County Public Service Board set to commence the recruitment of their replacements as soon as possible.

Even though the county government was not clear on their pay, the devolved unit risks being surcharged for any allowances paid to the two during their term in office, as the new law now assumes the duo was in office illegally.

County Director of Communication Aloice Ager said they have communicated to the office of the Attorney General to advise on the mater.

“The new law came into force when the two board members were already in office, so it should not be implemented backwards. The best way was to terminate their contracts and only payments made after that can be illegal,” said Mr Ager.

New Act

An advisory by the office of the Attorney General instructed Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o to ensure full implementation of the new Act in order to prevent operations of the board being rendered illegal.

“In utilisation of the literal interpretation of the law, all members who do not qualify therefore cease to be members of the board by operation of the law. Those who meet the criteria set in the law can complete their remaining terms and any further appointments should be undertaken in accordance to section 14 of the Amendment Act,” read the advisory.

Okello confirmed receiving the letter last Thursday but declined to comment on its content.