Petitioner in Kakamega board removal hard pressed to prove claims

A petitioner seeking to remove Kakamega Public Service Board from office found himself on the receiving end after he failed to table evidence to support of his case.

Dennis Muhanda was challenged by the board's lead counsel Calistus Shifwoka to provide evidence to prove his claims that the board engages in nepotism and abuse of office.

Muhanda had also said in his petition that the board fired its Chief Executive Officer Catherine Gathoni.

"Do you have any evidence to show that there’s nepotism? "Do you have any evidence to show they unprocedurally sacked Catherine Gathoni as the secretary and chief executive officer of the board? "Shifwoka asked to which Muhanda answered no.

Shifwoka cross examined Muhanda when he appeared before the County Assembly Public Service and Administration committee chaired by Marama South MCA Willis Opuka.

The board members Muhanda wanted impeached include Catherine Omweno (chairperson), Ambrose Subayi (vice-chairperson), Joel Omukoko, Dr Ralph Wangatiah, Stanley Were, and Sylvia Otunga

“In your affidavit, you claimed that the board conspired to dismiss its chief executive officer, an exercise it did not have power over. Is there any show cause letter, suspension or termination letter of her employment authored by the board, or any evidence of withholding of her salary?" Shifwoka asked.

The petitioner said he did not have the letter or evidence showing that the board sacked her.

He further said he did not know who sacked the CEO.

Muhanda also failed to provide proof that the board's chairperson, Omweno abused her office by using government vehicle to run her own personal errands.

He failed to table documents to show arrest of Omweno’s driver for using the vehicle without authority.

"To the best of my knowledge, I don’t have any evidence to support my claims," Muhanda said.

The petitioner failed to substantiate claims that the board sacked employees of the county government without fair trial.

This was after the board demonstrated that the termination of employment was done by the chief officer in charge of public service.

He also failed to give evidence on claims that Were, a board member had demanded a bribe from an applicant of a chief officer position.

“Do you an Occurrence Book number of where the bribery case was reported? Any evidence of him being summoned to any police station?" Shifwoka asked.

“I am just know that the matter is under investigation but I don't have any evidence to sustain my claims,” the petitioner answered.