Taita Taveta MCAs impeach lands CEC over 'incompetence'

Taita Taveta MCAs have unanimously resolved to impeach lands, physical planning, mining and energy executive Elizabeth Mkongo.

The ward reps approved a motion to have Mkongo removed from office over alleged incompetence and misconduct.

Assembly’s committee on lands and human-wildlife conflict resolution chairperson Anisa Mwakio said in a motion the CEC’s removal has been prompted by various grounds amounting to incompetence and gross misconduct.

“Mkongo has incapacitated the county from collecting its source revenue by failing to complete the development of the county land valuation roll,” Anisa said.

The MCAs accused Mkongo of failing to propose policies, bills and regulations for consideration by the county legislative arm.

Further, they accused her of failing to honour the assembly’s invites on diverse dates and misleading the MCAs on some matters under her department.

“She has failed in her administrative roles, consistently failed to respond to statements sought by the House and failed to implement her departmental programmes,” Anisa said.

Mkongo’s budget, the ODM nominated MCA said, has an allocation of Sh116 million, out of which only Sh63 million was spent for the financial year 2022-23, leaving Sh53 million unutilised.

The MCAs said the CEC has also failed to provide solutions to numerous land tussles in the region, leading to demolitions and loss of property.

Pointing out to the recent demolition at Msambweni estate in Voi, where hundreds of residents were evicted by a private developer, Anisa said the CEC failed to avert the eviction.

“For the case of Msambweni, women and children slept in the cold, while Mkongo had assured us that the matter was in control,” she added

Nominated MCA Peter Shambi seconded the motion, saying Mkongo has displayed utter incompetence and is unfit to hold office.

He said the CEC has failed to capitalise on the Voi gemstone centre to benefit local miners.

Deputy speaker Anselm Mwadime said Mkongo’s approval for the position was informed by her promises to manage the docket, which she has failed to deliver on.

Mwadime warned that the MCAs will not relent in pushing out any officer who does not deliver on their mandate.

“Things are being taken casually by the executive side. Land matters are so sensitive but the CEC has not treated them with the seriousness they deserve,” he said.

Mwadime said Mkongo can be given other lighter duties in the county.

The impeachment came just hours before Governor Andrew Mwadime delivered his state of the county address at the assembly.

He said his administration is alive to the challenges facing the region and he is still navigating through the best available avenues of improving the economy and delivering services. 

“The prolonged drought, the adverse impacts of relentless El Niño rains and the economic hardships occasioned by the strain of inadequate financial resources, coupled with a huge backlog of pending bills, have presented formidable obstacles to our progress and prosperity,” the governor said.

Deputy minority leader Amos Makalo has been selected to chair the assembly’s ad hoc committee, which will investigate allegations levelled against Mkongo.

Makalo will be deputised by nominated MCA Rose Shingira. MCAs Anselm Mwadime, Dorcas Mlughu and Isaac Matolo will form part of the committee.

The embattled CEC will have an opportunity to defend herself before the five-member team within 10 days as per the provisions of the law.