Governor Wavinya Ndeti sacks her Chief of Staff

Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti has sacked her chief of staff Lawrence Ngovi.

Ngovi’s sacking was made public by the County Secretary and Head of Public Service Dr Muya Ndambuki on Friday.

“This is to inform the general public that Mr Lawrence Nzau Ngovi has been relieved of his duties as Chief of Staff in the office of the Governor, Machakos County from today 19th July 2024. He is therefore not authorized to transact any business for and on behalf of the county,” reads a statement signed by Ndambuki.

Ndambuki didn’t, however, state details on the reasons for Ngovi’s sacking in the statement.

Attempts by the Star to reach Ngovi for comments on his sacking were futile. He was yet to respond to this reporter's messages by press time.

An official at the governor's office, however, expressed his disappointment in the chief of staff's sacking.

"It's unfortunate because I have lost a long-time boss. We have worked together for long," the official said.

Ngovi has been one of the governor’s close allies for ages now having moved with her from her former Chama Cha Uzalendo (CCU) party to the Wiper Democratic Movement on whose ticket she ascended to power in 2022.

He has been among Ndeti’s staunch supporters having been loyal to her since she started contesting for the Machakos gubernatorial seat.

It’s worthwhile also to note that Ngovi has been among the governor’s righthandmen who vigorously helped her campaign for the seat. He was also involved in Ndeti’s gubernatorial campaigns in 2017, a contest they lost to former Tourism CS Alfred Mutua.

Ngovi was a common figure in the governor’s protocol and never missed most of her public functions.

The two have since then worked together in the devolved government’s Executive.