A Kakamega resident Dennis Muhanda, whose petition bundled four of the six members of Kakamega County Public Service Board out of office last week, is contemplating appealing the decision that saved two board members.
Muhanda said he has instructed his lawyer to file an appeal following the survival of Sylvia Otunga and board vice chairperson Ambrose Wanyama.
MCAs voted on Thursday to remove Catherine Omweno (chairperson) and members Stanley Were, Raph Wangatia and Joel Omukoko on grounds of violation of the constitution, abuse of office, gross misconduct and incompetence. Otunga and Wanyama survived after their ouster failed to achieve the 75 per cent threshold.
But Muhanda now says that though he appreciates the county assembly for the commendable manner it handled his petition, the assembly leadership erred by tabling separate impeachment motions for individual board members yet his prayer was to remove the entire board.
“I am wondering why the assembly leadership decided to generate separate impeachment motions for the six board members yet they all faced similar charges. Why didn’t the board table one motion to impeach the board?” he posed.
He said even the county assembly committee on public service and administration recommended that the entire board be thrown out.
Muhanda feels the decision to present separate motions could have been a window to rescue the two members.
“While two members narrowly escaped removal due to the vote threshold, I would like to appeal to the esteemed leadership of the county assembly to reconsider their decision. To the best of my knowledge, it is imperative to hold all accountable for the allegations in order to maintain the integrity of the assembly and ensure the welfare of Kakamega county,” he said.
Muhanda said it was surprising that the assembly voted until 10pm, but mainstream newspapers carried an advertisement for the vacancies creates less than two hours before going to press.
Muhanda however said the hearing of his petition and the final outcome after the assembly voted on the removal, is a reminder and a call on residents to always be vigilant in seeking a lean, competent, efficient, accountable, transparent and people-centred county public service board, and a reminder to those in power or in the county public service that their performance and adherence to the law is under watch.
