Baringo: Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi on Tuesday effected a major shakeup of his county executive committees and chief officers. Governor Chemboi said the reorganization which affected six County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) and four chief officers (COs) was meant to enhance efficiency, coordination, and service delivery.
According to Kenya News Agency, the move saw Governor Cheboi remove Jacob Chepkwony from the position of County Secretary and appoint him as County Executive Committee Member for Education and Vocational Training in an acting capacity. CECM Devolution and Public Service Peninah Bartuin took over from Chepkwony as acting County Secretary. Chepkwony served as deputy governor during the regime of the second governor, Stanley Kiptis.
Other CECMs transferred included Symon Kiuta, who was moved from Education to the department of Transport, Roads and Public Works. Lekonaya Kibwalel was shifted from Transport and Roads to Lands and Urban Development, and Reuben Rutto from Lands to Water, Irrigation, and Environment. Richard Tamar, who has been CECM for Water and Environment, has been deployed to Youth, Sports and Gender, while the current holder of the office takes over the Devolution and Public Service docket previously headed by Peninah Bartuin.
The changes also saw the chief officer for Public Service, Charles Kipkulei, swap places with his Housing and Urban Development counterpart, Nancy Nelachurai, while chief officer for Culture and Social Services, Victor Kandie, was moved to Tourism and Wildlife. Kandie's position has been taken by Joseph Waiharo of Trade and Cooperatives, while Nancy Korir, chief officer of Tourism, moved to Trade and Cooperatives.
Meanwhile, a section of Baringo Members of County Assembly (MCAs) during Wednesday afternoon debate condemned and rejected the changes of Chepkwony and Bartuin, terming them illegal and unconstitutional. Led by majority leader Lawi Kipchumba, the MCAs read mischief in the appointments, which they said came at a time when the County Assembly through the Ad Hoc Committee on Public Service had recommended the removal of Chepkwony from office over serious employment malpractice.
Deputy Speaker Kipruto Kimosop said the governor made the changes in total disregard of the law since the former county secretary was never vetted as an executive member to check on his suitability in the department he has been appointed into. Chairperson of the Ad Hoc committee, Jeruto Kiptala, confirmed to the House that they are preparing an impeachment process on the former deputy governor after Kabarnet High Court lifted a conservatory order of June this year, where he had sought to stop the Assembly from investigating him. She called on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and Public Service to conduct an inquiry on Chepkwony.