As the by-election for Kasipul constituency draws closer, Chiefs and their assistants have been warned against engaging in any political activities. Homa Bay County Commissioner Ronald Mwiwawi said civil servants are not allowed to take part in partisan politics.
Speaking Sunday during a Chiefs retreat in Gembe hills in Suba North Sub County, Mwiwawi told the administrators that they were the eyes of the government and should therefore articulate government policies at the grassroots. “You should only work with a politician if it is for the interest of the public and not for political interest,” Mwiwawi said.
The sentiments came in the wake of a recent incident in which a Chief was suspended for engaging in politics.
Hemstone Gumbo, the Assistant Chief of Nyalenda Sub-location in Rachuonyo South, hosted a political gathering in his home which later turned violent leading to the death of two youths.
The three-day retreat at Nafasi camp in Gembe hills was coordinated by Mbita Deputy County Commissioner Peter Mutiso.
Mutiso told Chiefs to utilize the skills they acquired from the retreat to improve on service delivery. He said the exercise was meant to make a formidable team of public officers that could execute the mandate of the government in a coordinated manner to benefit the public.
“Every government will take pride if their people are served in the best way possible. The public should have confidence in the services they get,” Mutiso said.
A proposal was floated for all administrators in the county to take part in a similar exercise with various speakers saying it could help build trust among the officers.
Mwiwawi condemned the habit of some civil servants refusing to have their offices managed by colleagues when they are on leave, noting such offices are public and should never close just because the substantive bearer is on leave.
“Do not be a roadblock to service delivery but instead be an enabler and an astute defender of the government of the day. Never be part of those alleging that government programmes are not working,” the County Commissioner said.
Homa Bay County Police Commander, Lawrence Koilem urged Chiefs to collaborate with police in ensuring security prevails in the county. He raised concerns about numerous cases of land disputes in the county and appealed to chiefs to be in the fore front in solving conflicts on land ownership.
“Be in the forefront of educating the public on land matters. Disputes about land succession are on the rise and chiefs can help the government in addressing this problem,” the police boss said.
By Davis Langat
