It is all systems go in Taita Taveta county after the county assembly approved Governor Andrew Mwadime's executive and chief officer nominees.
The MCAs on Tuesday approved the nomination of three executive members and 12 chief officers, paving the way for full restructuring of Mwadime's executive team.
The executive members are Dr Panuel Mwaeke (Devolution, Public Service and Administration), Martin Tairo (Public Works, Infrastructure and Transport) and Erick Kyongo (Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries).
The new officers are expected to be sworn in later this week.
While moving the motion to approve the nominees, deputy speaker Anselm Mwadime said that all the nominees met requirements of Chapter 6 and other constitutional requirements.
“They all demonstrated knowledge of topical issues touching on their departments. They have vast experience that is going to help in streamlining service delivery,” the governor said.
Their approval, he said, will enhance service delivery in the county as the departments have remained under-served for lack of executives.
The three executives will join other six who are already serving in the cabinet.
However, Mwadime’s cabinet remains with one vacant position of Trade executive after the county chief withdrew the earlier nomination of Christine Mwakera to the post.
The deputy speaker said the withdrawal was necessary to pave for the ruling of a case lodged at Mombasa law courts barring nomination of any person to that docket. The case was lodged by Josephine Mwatibo.
Despite the vacant post, the approval comes as a reprieve to the governor who has been under pressure to fully constitute his government.
“The assembly has also approved all the nominees to the position of chief officers. They will now relieve department directors who are already overwhelmed,” the county chief said.
The chief officers are Habib Mruttu (Devolution), Harrison Mwamkonu (Special Programmes), Paul Sindeu (Trade), Lonyee Mwakio (Education), Rina Ndamu (Youth and Gender) and Violet Mkala (Health).
The others are Reuben Kitololo (Water), Elizabeth Mbinga (Environment), Nashon Nyali (Finance), Jimmy Mtawa (Lands), Leonard Kiute (Public Works) and Mcharo Mwalugha (Agriculture).
