• Some of the youth who campaigned for Bii have been frequenting county offices since Bii was sworn in, harassing workers for non-jobs.
• Some youth also stormed and took over running public toilets downtown, saying they deserve to be rewarded for backing Bii.
Image: BY MATHEWS NDANYI
New Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii is facing his first crisis after hundreds of youth stormed county offices and public toilets demanding jobs.
Some of the youths have been frequenting the county offices since Bii was sworn into office last week.
Security at the county offices has been heightened to keep off strangers. Some have gone so far as to harass county workers so they can take jobs in various offices.
“The term of former Governor Jackson Mandago ended and we are here to take over some of the jobs with our new county boss so we can also benefit," one youth said.
He claimed many of them campaigned for Bii, popularly known as Koti Moja because he often wore the same coat and projected himself as a man of the people.
Bii took over from Jackson Mandago who is now the Senator-elect.
Soon after taking office Bii, made his first appointment, naming Nicholas Chepkwony as his chief of staff.
Chepkwony has been dealing with the youth jobs crisis, asking job seekers to go home and await communication about hiring.
Youths also stormed and took over privately operated public toilets in the town. They argued that the toilets belonged to the county and that they were taking over because Mandago’s tenure has ended.
Another group of youths who are drivers stormed the county machinery yard where they allocated themselves vehicles and other machinery. They said they would take charge of the equipment in the new administration.
Bii and Deputy Governor John Barorot have assured more than 4,000 Uasin Gishu employees their jobs are safe.
Bii said none of the employees would be frustrated under his administration. He pledged his commitment to improve the welfare of the workers.
The employees will, however, sign performance contracts to ensure good service delivery.
Bii said the political period is over and it is time to work to develop the county.
“Our main interest is to serve residents and that should be our focus and nothing else,” Bii said.
The new county chief said even those who voted for his rivals should feel safe and stop regretting,harbouring anger or any fears.
Bii defeated independent candidate Bundotich Kiprop Buzeki and UDM’s William Kirwa during the August 9 polls.
Bii and Barorot spoke during a thanksgiving meeting at Barorot’s home attended by many county workers.
Barorot said employees should not use their jobs for rent seeking at the expense of services to residents.
“We have to deliver on our manifesto and if you are employed don’t use your job for rent seeking while not doing what you are employed to do,” he said.
Barorot said performance contracting was not a choice but a must.
“As an employee, you have an opportunity to serve and you should not use the job you have been given for selfish gains while leaving residents without services,” he said.
Bii has pledged to make staff changes to ensure he delivers on his mandate. He said he will work on transforming the economy to create jobs for youths and better earnings for all resident, including farmers.
Bii’s administration has advertised for the jobs of 10 county executives to replace thosehired by Mandago.
(Edited by V. Graham)