Fill vacant CEC, chief officer posts, Sonko urged

The Nairobi assembly has urged Governor Mike Sonko to fill two vacancies in his Cabinet.

The Cabinet has seven CECs. Two dockets – health and environment – are vacant. Three women were recently vetted and approved for executives posts. 

Also unoccupied are four chief officers' positions. They are Economic Planning, Finance, Urban Planning and Education. Another vacant position is that of the county secretary.

Executives in office are Allan Igambi (Trade), Mohammed Dagane (Transport), Larry Wambua (Water), Charles Kerich (Lands), Newton Munene (ICT), Winfred Kathangu (Finance), Pauline Kahiga (Devolution) and Lucia Mulwa (Education).

Majority leader Abdi Guyo on Tuesday said MCAs want Sonko to ensure his cabinet is fully constituted. "There is no excuse now and the executive has to deliver since most of the dockets are occupied. However, we urge our governor to move with speed and ensure we have a fully functioning and performing cabinet," Guyo said.

He also urged the governor to appoint a county secretary. "The county secretary is an important position in the county government. We cannot operate with an acting county secretary because there are some functions and duties one cannot perform in an acting capacity," Guyo said.

"It's either he recalls former county secretary or appoints a new one."

Pauline Kahiga has been acting after Sonko suspended county secretary Peter Kariuki over insubordination in the Pumwani Maternity Hospital saga last September. The county secretary is the head of the County Public Service.

Women power

The MCAs on Tuesday also approved a report on the Select Committee on Appointments that recommended the approval of three CECs and the rejection of former nominated MP Sonia Birdi at the Environment docket. 

Mulwa will take over the Education docket, Kathangu (Finance), and Kahiga (Public Service Management and Devolution). All the three approved CECs nominees previously served as chief officers.

Health docket nominee, Kiambu medical superintendent Stella Bosire, did not appear for vetting last week. The post is still vacant.

Kerich has been acting in the Health department since last September. This followed the suspension of Vesca Kagongo.

With Kahiga's approval to head the Devolution docket, the Urban planning chief officer seat and county secretary remain unoccupied.

 Kathangu was the chief officer for Urban planning and acting Finance chief officer.

 Guyo praised the move by the governor to nominate more women to his cabinet.  He said it sets good precedence on governance issues. "This shows the confidence the governor has in women." 

Women MCAs have also supported the approval of more women for cabinet positions.

Majority Whip Chege Waithera said she looks forward to the new CECs honouring committee summons and their involvement with the assembly.

Laini Saba MCA Cecilia Ayot commended the committee for bringing more women in leadership. “People should drop the gender bias."

Nominated MCA Susan Makungu said women CECs should lead by example and let their competency be reflected in services.

Birdi rejected

The 10-man committee found Birdi unsuitable for the Environment docket as she did not show understanding of the sector.

Birdi was also found to be temperamental, arrogant and refused to answer questions during vetting.

The team also recalled that Birdi had been charged with creating a public disturbance and abuse of power when she was a nominated MP.

She also did not present her academic transcripts and the Recognition and Equation of Qualifications from the Commission for University during vetting as is required for degrees and postgraduate certificates conferred by foreign universities.

“Environment issues in Nairobi do not require someone who has a D+ and cannot understand simple terms in the sector. Leading the environment sector is not a joke and does not need someone who has a temper,” Guyo said.

Nominated MCA Leah Naikane said Birdi failed as she did not understand who her interviewers were.