The Kisumu County government has apologised to the family of the Acting Chief Officer-Finance Martin Okode Opiyo who got a reprieve in court on Tuesday, October 29, 2024.

In a statement shared by Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, the county noted that no government officer should experience what Opiyo went through.

“The County Government unreservedly and sincerely takes this opportunity to apologize to the family of the Acting Chief Officer-Finance Martin Okode Opiyo his incarceration over the matter. No government officer should suffer such indignity and punishment in the performance of his official duties,” the statement shared by Governor Nyong’o read in part.

Opiyo was arraigned alongside other county employees concerning a pending bill case valued at Ksh16 million.

However, on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, the county requested a review of the court’s decision which had imposed a fine and a jail term on some of its employees.

The court then ordered the release of the county’s acting Chief Finance Officer, suspending his five-month jail term.

Assurance to employees

After the county employees were dragged to court in the matter, Kisumu County vowed to institute measures to protect its employees.

“We assure all employees of the County Government that doing everything possible to ensure that they are fully protected whilst carrying out their duties and that the administration shall ensure that the incident is the first and the last such tragedy ever to face a public servant in the county in the course of carrying out his/her duties,” it added.

Regarding the matter

According to Kisumu County, the matter at hand involves a construction company that was awarded a contract by the County Government more than 11 years ago to put up a market at the Maendeleo grounds next to Khetia’s Supermarket.

The county further explained that the said market was demolished on May 31 2017, even before the current administration came into office.

To avert such court wrangles, the county appealed to its creditors to explore alternative means of solving their disputes instead of dragging them to court.

“Finally, the county government wishes to encourage its creditors to pursue alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in some of its disputes with the county government to facilitate the amicable resolution of some of the issues, even as we all keep our faith and trust in the judicial process.”

Statement of facts regarding the release of senior County Government of Kisumu officials in Kisumu high court JR E003/2024 pic.twitter.com/etBRHnWwWg

— Gov. Anyang' Nyong'o (@AnyangNyongo) October 30, 2024