Four Kitui county government chief officers who were appointed by Governor Julius Malombe early 2023 but were stopped by court from taking officers have formally assumed office.
The five month wait for four Kitui Chief Officers ended on Tuesday with their signing appointment letters to formally take over office at a ceremony that was supervised by Governor Dr Julius Malombe.
As the rest of the 26 Malombe’s chief officers were appointed to office in last February, quadruple was blocked from assuming office since their predecessor had moved to court seeking order to stop their replacement.
The plaintiffs who were appointed by former Kitui governor Charity Ngilu, obtained court injunction blocking the four Malombe’s nominees from taking office until the suit was heard and determined.
Those who went to court Zakayo Kimanzi, Geoffrey Changangu, Enock Nguthu and Joseph Kimanga.
On Tuesday, the Kitui county chief regretted the misguided action by the Ngilu’s chief officers who claimed they were hired on permanent and pensionable terms.
Speaking in his boardroom on Tuesday as he witnessed as the new Chief officers signed appointment letter, Malombe said that last Friday, the courts threw out the case clearing the way for the new appointees.
He said it was as the result of the court decision that the ceremony to sign the appointment letters by the new chief officers Kamunda John, Nahson Kilonzo, Brettah Mwangangi and Jonathan Nzau was held.
John will be in-charge of service delivery in the governor’s office, Kilonzo will steer the youth, sports and ICT departments. Mwangangi will head the culture and social services department while Nzau will be in the livestock development docket.
Speaking at the ceremony, Malombe told the new chief officers that there was no time to waste and they had to immediately take office and swing into action so that the people of Kitui County will feel their positive impact in service delivery.
He said to ensure their efficiency, the new chief officers will have to sign performance contracts with their respective County Executive Committee Members whom they should also hold at high esteem.
“This is meant to keep you on your toes as far as service delivery is concerned since what is measured gets done. Therefore, as you take up your new roles you must hit the ground running,” the governor told the new officers.
Malombe further encouraged them to cooperate with chief officers in other County departments as well as the staff so as to find the right synergy in ensuring equality and timely delivery of service.
“I call upon you, the new appointees, to take up your roles with zeal commitment and dedication as you endeavor to deliver the Kitui promise enshrined in the governor’s development agent of his manifesto,” he advised.
He further told the officers that they were expected to strictly observe the Leadership and Integrity Act to the letter and spirit. He told them to observe the rule of law and uphold public trust.
The governor told them that as they embrace professionalism and financial integrity, it should not be lost to them that they have to observe the moral and ethical requirements that prohibit wrongful acquisition of property among other vices.
STORY By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT
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