At least 39 senior officials in Busia County have been summoned by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over alleged irregular recruitment based on nepotism.
The officials, in the rank of directors and deputy directors, are required to start recording statements with the EACC between today and November 20 on how they found their way onto the county payroll. The EACC said it was “carrying out investigations on allegations of irregular recruitment of Directors and Deputy Directors by the County Service Board of Busia,” said an October 30 letter from Michal Kasilon, the EACC deputy manager for the Western region.
Academic papers Sources in the county told People Daily that the County Public Service Board had only recruited people connected to the governor and senior officials in the county and their hiring was not based on merit. Some of the summoned officials were also said to lack the required academic papers.
Among the individuals summoned are Brian Odekeyo (Director Energy), Margaret Okumu (Director Agribusiness ), Hudson Bradford Sireka (Director Industry), Meshack Albert Tumaini (Director Youth Development), Austin Ndege ( Director Trade), Maximilla Nekesa Ayieko ( Director Internal Audit)
Hendrick Vyone Owori (Director Fisheries and Blue Economy), Newtown Gabriel Omanga (Director ICT), Shadrack Maloba Mulanya (Director Natural Resources), Joel Osinya Abel (Director Disaster Management), Angla Brenda Nasirumbi (Director Gender Affairs), Inviolata Sande Ndubi (Director Tourism), Stephen David Kiror (Director Human Resource Management), Evans Wandera Wandera (Director Budget), Josephat Nyangweso (Director Public Works ), Victor Otuoma Nyongesa (Director Sports) and Mwatata James Mwangala (Director Cooperative Audit).
The deputy directors summoned include Kenneth Wabwire Ngwabe (Water Resources), John Kelvin Etyang (Cooperative Development Funds ), John Paul.
Ekisa (Agribusiness), Diana Racey Akai (Tourism), Rosemary Wesonga Ouma (Irrigation), Otwane George Omodia (ICT), Francis Ouma Bwire (Economic Planning), Alexander Juma Onyango (Veterinary Services), Alfred Makokha Wesonga (Livestock Production), Emmanuel Juma Wanyama (Youth Development), Mildred Onyango (Disaster Management ), Zilah Chetuyi Chituyi (Vocational Training), Collins Otucho ( Industry) and Michael Maloba Mutanda (Trade and Markets).
Other deputy directors whose employment is under focus are Jacob Odeke Iteba (Fisheries), Juliet Ogubi Nafula (Natural Resources), Busuru Loreen Akinyi (Public Works), Vivian Salome Lukoba Oyeyo (Accounting Services ), Nancy Taabu Wanjala (Cooperative Services), Nelson O. Oucha (Alcoholic Drinks Control), Everlyne Teresia Mbingi (Housing) and Jess Mangeni (Budget).
Alleged nepotism The summons came barely two days after the office of Busia Senator Okiya Omutatah wrote to the County Public Service Board complaining about alleged nepotism, favouritism and tribalism in the department of Agriculture.
“It has come to our notice that arbitrary transfers, redeployments, and promotions have reportedly been conducted under the pretext of Implementing Section 72 of the County Government Act,” said an October 23 letter from Samwel Baker, the chief oversight manager in county Senate oversight office.
“Disturbingly, these actions appear to disproportionately affect individuals from a specific ethnic group while seemingly favouring another, raising the spectre of reciprocal nepotism, favouritism and potential conflicts of interest, all in violation of Section 69 (2) (a) (d) of the County Government Act.” Baker wants both the County Public Service Board and county leadership to investigate activities in the agriculture department with a view to discharging its duties in full compliance with Section 64 (5) of the County Government Act.
