Tension is high at Kisumu Council over promotions
By Agwanda Jakorandoh

TENSION is high at the graft-ridden Kisumu Municipal Council over allegations that some senior departmental heads have refused to forward papers from junior staff that merit promotions to the Public Service Commission.

A circular from the Ministry of Local Government a couple of weeks and copied to all departmental heads directed that all staff who undergone professional courses be enlisted to fill in vacant positions at the council be transferred to other councils within the country.

Investigations at the council last week revealed that a number of qualified staff most of who have advanced diplomas and degrees in various disciplines have had their testimonials hidden or destroyed by the relevant heads of departments for fear that they may be replaced by the junior staff.

 In the past, promotions at the council have been handled on the basis of nepotism or loyalty to some politicians. The trend, we have established, has led to massive corruption especially within the treasury department.

Last week, some messengers and cleaners who have been working as revenue collectors were re-deployed to their relevant stations after one of them was caught at the Kisumu Bus Terminus with fake receipts.

Those who have been working as revenue officials are not qualified to work in the department since they were employed in lower scales as messengers and cleaners.

They however have managed to line up the pockets of the senior treasury officers who in return deploy them to areas with better corruption opportunities to enable them share the loot.

At the moment, councilors at the council are dived over the competence of service chief officers. A section of councilors say that the current clerk is not well groomed in terms of experience to run a large council like Kisumu having been transferred from rural and poor Suba County Council.

The acting assistant town Clerk, Miss Elizabeth Odwuor is also said to lack the relevant papers to serve in the capacity but is ridding on some favors which she enjoys from her closeness with the Mayor, Sam Okello.

Some workers said they have served for close to ten years and have never been approached by anyone for a staff appraisal.

Kisumu is currently wallowing under the weight of filth as garbage goes uncollected for months at the Kibuye market and the bus terminus yet the truck meant to collect garbage is often hired out to funerals.

The council has also been dragging its feet in sourcing for a substantive director of Environment after the confirmation of the acting Director, Miss Belinda Nyakinya was politicized despite her qualifications for the post.

Instead a man who is not qualified, a Mr. Andrew Okoth has been posted in the Environment’s department with the direct instructions of undermining the work of the acting director.

Ends.