Bungoma County Governor Ken Lusaka has announced a fresh round of cabinet changes just days after dismissing all County Executive Committee Members (CECMs), in a move that has drawn public attention and legal scrutiny.
The latest reshuffle comes shortly after a court directed that the dismissed officials be reinstated, forcing the county leadership to adjust its approach while awaiting a final legal decision.
In a statement released on Saturday, April 18, Lusaka explained that the changes would take effect immediately. He emphasized that the main goal was to ensure that government services in Bungoma County continue without interruption, despite the ongoing legal proceedings.
According to the governor, his actions were guided by constitutional provisions, specifically Articles 179 and 183, alongside relevant sections of the County Governments Act.
Lusaka noted that while the matter remains before the court, it is important for the county administration to remain functional and responsive to the needs of residents.
He stated that the reshuffle was a temporary but necessary measure to maintain stability and continuity in service delivery across key departments.
As part of the changes, Caroline Makali, who previously served as the CECM for Finance, has been reassigned to head the Roads Department. In a corresponding move, Bonventure Chengek has been transferred from the Roads Department to take over the Finance portfolio.
These adjustments appear to be aimed at balancing leadership roles while keeping experienced individuals within the cabinet structure.
Additionally, Lusaka reappointed Wamamili David Wanyonyi to his former position in Public Administration. Beyond that, Wanyonyi has also been given extra responsibilities, with the governor assigning him to oversee the Gender, Sports, and Culture docket on top of his existing duties.
This dual role highlights the administration’s effort to consolidate leadership during the transitional period.
The reshuffle also saw Bungoma Deputy Governor Jeniffer Mbatiyan brought into the cabinet in a more active role. She has been appointed to serve as the acting CECM for Trade and Industrialisation.
Lusaka clarified that this decision is in line with Section 32(3) of the County Governments Act, which allows the deputy governor to assume such responsibilities when necessary.
At the same time, several key departments, including Water, Lands, Education, Agriculture, and Health, have retained their current leadership.
This suggests that the governor opted for a partial reshuffle rather than a complete overhaul, likely to maintain some level of consistency within the administration.
However, not all officials retained their positions. Architect Douglas Asita, who was in charge of the Trade docket, and Benedict Emachar, who handled Gender, Sports, and Culture, have both been directed to proceed on leave until further notice.
The decision effectively removes them from active duty for the time being, though it leaves room for possible future developments depending on the outcome of the court case.
This latest development follows a ruling by the Employment and Labour Relations Court, which ordered Governor Lusaka to reinstate the dismissed CECMs.
The court’s intervention came after the affected officials filed a petition challenging their sudden removal from office.
In their petition, the CECMs argued that their dismissal did not follow due process and violated several constitutional rights.
They claimed that the decision was communicated through a public press statement rather than formal termination letters, and that they were not given an opportunity to respond or defend themselves before being removed from office.
According to the petitioners, the manner in which the dismissal was carried out breached principles of fair administrative action and fair labour practices, as guaranteed under the Constitution.
They further maintained that the lack of procedural fairness undermined their rights as public officers.
It is important to recall that on April 9, Lusaka had made a sweeping decision to dismiss all members of the County Executive Committee, along with the County Attorney and the County Secretary.
At the time, he defended the move as part of his constitutional responsibility to strengthen governance and improve service delivery within the county.
With the matter still pending in court, Bungoma residents are now watching closely to see how the situation unfolds.
The ongoing legal battle, combined with the latest cabinet adjustments, continues to shape the county’s political and administrative landscape.
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