Malaba protesters lockout municipality manager from office

Residents of Malaba town have locked gates leading to the office of the newly appointed Malaba municipality manager,

The protesters locked gates leading to the manager’s office at 6 am Friday, hampering operations at the municipal offices.

The protesters want the manager to come from candidates who had applied for the position from the four wards that make up Malaba municipality.

The wards include Malaba North, Malaba Central, Malaba South and Amukura West.

By law, the County Public Service Board is not limited, geographically, in the appointment of the manager.

The protestors are now seeking an audience with Governor Paul Otuoma to agree on the appointment of the municipality manager, who by law, is the administrative head of the municipality.

“We are passing a very open and sincere message to the executive of Busia. We cannot be taken for granted anymore. We know from experience we have been undermined for a very long time," activist Okoit Etyang told reporters.

“This gate will be locked every day until the Busia executive listens to us. We cannot believe this. Governor Otuoma, we campaigned for you and we voted for you, let’s work together in ensuring we get another manager for Malaba municipality.”

Okoit said the board should have considered a candidate from the four wards since such a candidate would understand better the challenges facing the municipality.

Another protester Charles Omunga said the governor should consider appointing a manager for the municipality from either Malaba North, Malaba Central, Malaba South or Amukura West.

“We have locked the gate because the process of appointment of the manager did not involve other stakeholders,” he claimed.

By law, the municipality manager is the administrative head of the municipality.

The appointee is picked through a competitive process involving advertisement of the position, shortlisting and interviews.

Legally, the County Public Service Board, during the appointment is expected to remain gender-sensitive and consider the interests of minority communities and the person appointed is expected to fulfil the requirements of Chapter Six of the 2010 Constitution.

But despite the protests, some residents expressed their support for the new manager.

One businessman who sought to remain anonymous said the appointment should be held to allow operations at the municipality to take off.

“Let us allow the appointment to pass. Sometimes painful decisions are inevitable,” he said.

“The manager does not make unilateral decisions. He will rely on the board of which he is the Secretary.”

Deputy Governor Arthur Odera recently said residents of the municipality should put aside politics and allow the appointment of the manager to facilitate the smooth running of operations at the municipality.