- The governor has moved executives in key dockets amid a row with his deputy Philomena Kapkory.
- Natembeya said the changes are aimed at improving service delivery.
Image: BY MATHEWS NDANYI
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has reshuffled his cabinet, moving executives in key dockets amid a row with his deputy Philomena Kapkory.
Kapchory has refused to work at the county headquarters in Kitake claiming she had been threatened by some staff.
The DG’s office remains abandoned for almost a month now. Last week, she appeared before the Senate devolution committee to explain the challenges that caused her to suspend working in Trans Nzoia.
In Natembeya’s changes, County Secretary Truphosa Amere has been transferred to take over the health docket while Janerose Mutama who has been serving as Lands executive has been reassigned as the new county secretary.
Natembeya said the changes are aimed at improving service delivery.
"The changes will take immediate effect," he said.
Patrick Gacheru, who held the water and environment docket has been moved to trade, while Stanley Kirui takes charge of education and technical training.
Pepela Wanjala has been moved to the finance department from the health docket while Boniface Wanyonyi, previously in finance, will now oversee lands, housing, and urban development.
Samson Ojwang who has been at the education department, is the new executive for water and environment. Natembeya also instituted changes in chief officer positions.
Sammy Sichangi, formerly in the Governance position, will now serve in agriculture, with Dr Emmanuel Wanjala moving from health to take over the governance role.
Patrick Osoro of lands has been moved to be the chief officer for livestock and cooperative development. Emmanuel Masungo, previously in economic planning, has been reassigned to essential finance while Ashton Mulupi has been deployed to education and technical training. Omari Ndiema, formerly in agriculture, now assumes the role of chief officer in economic planning.
Dr Judith Simiyu has been transferred from corporate health services to health services and sanitation, and Joseph Wasike is appointed as the new chief officer for roads and transport.
Agriculture executive Phanice Khatundi, her public woks counterpart Jackson Amboka and public service management Julia Ruto have retained their positions.
Philip Kapten and Dorothy Nyukuri will continue service as public service management and water chief officers respectively.
While at the Senate, Kapkory said she had been completely sidelined from all county operations, and that her office had been denied financial facilitation to enable her discharge her mandate.
“I respect the governor highly and I never expected to be treated the way I have been since we came into office,” Kapkory said.
She explained that her challenges started when members of the Sabaot community in the county started pushing for the creation of the Mt Elgon county , which they want curved from Trans Nzoia and Bungoma counties.
Kapkory is from the Sabaot community. Natembeya has avoided commenting on the row with the DG but he will also appear before the Senate over the matter.