Non-performing Taita Taveta CECs face sack, says Samboja

Taita Taveta Governor Granton Samboja has issued a stern warning to non-performing County Executive Committee Members (CECs) saying he will not hesitate to sack them.

Speaking in Mwatate, Mr Samboja gave an ultimatum to the executive, saying those not performing their duties are dragging the county behind.

He said he will not condone lazy and incompetent CECs who will block him from delivering on his manifesto which he made to residents during his election campaigns.

UP GAME

He urged the CECs to up their game or risk being axed.

“Those who are not performing their duties will go home in the next few weeks. I have given you opportunities to serve so you should do your best to help those you are serving,” the governor said.

He directed county departments to set aside funds to empower residents through various initiates.

Mr Samboja emphasised that the youth should be empowered for them to raise their economic capabilities.

The governor said some of the departments are working hard to improve the lives of residents.

YOUTH DEPARTMENT

“The Youth department has done a lot in empowering our young people in all the four sub-counties. However, more should be done this year,” he said.

The department led by its CEC Bigvai Mwailemi organised an innovation challenge where the winners were awarded Sh500 000 for their projects.

The department has also launched a website where the youth can access job and business opportunities.

“Let us concentrate on the youth because they are the future. This year we want to see a change,” the governor said.

UNDERDEVELOPMENT

The warning to CECs comes after Governor Samboja’s administration was accused of underdevelopment since he took office in August 2017.

The county was ranked lowest by the Controller of Budget with poor absorption of development money attracting criticism from leaders and residents.

The county assembly has also vowed to strengthen its oversight role once it resumes sittings early February to ensure that Mr Samboja’s government delivers on its mandate.

Senator Jones Mwaruma had also asked the governor and the county assembly to crack the whip on non-performing officers saying they are compromising service delivery to residents.