Janet Muthoni Ouko, who recently resigned as Nairobi County Education CEC, now claims the move was due to constant intimidation, insults and threats from Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko.
In an interview with Citizen TV, Ouko painted a picture of a chaotic County Executive wing running on autopilot.
“It is not fine to have people living under fear of blackmail, EACC, arresting, locking up offices, its chaos…,” she said.
While her exit could deal a blow to the county, analyst Javas Bigambo says the constant departure by county staff was an indictment on the county leadership.
“Some of the things the governor is doing should be done by the executive… what would make someone leave office after 2 years…” said Javas Bigambo.
Governor Sonko however dismissed her decision saying that this would pave way for a more competent person to fill the vacancy.
He added that he runs county affairs was based on performance.
“It’s disappointing when an appointing authority dismisses by wave of the hand the departure of someone,” said Bigambo.
“Like now we have two executive members remaining, the governor should be pre-occupied with the question, is he unique,” said Janet Ouko.
On January 12, 2018, barely six months after elections Sonko’s deputy governor Polycarp Igathe resigned citing failure to earn the trust of his boss Sonko.
In the following months, Sonko settled on controversial lawyer Miguna Miguna as his deputy, a decision that was thwarted by the county assembly.
Months later, several CEC’s have either been sent packing or suspended among them Veska Kangogo, Danvas Makori, and Emma Mukuhi.
Devolution CEC Larry Wambua’s fate remains uncertain. This, only leaving three CEC’s Allan Igambi Finance, Charles Kerich Lands and Mohammed Dagane Transport in office.
“We are the only people with a contract of one month or one year,” noted Janet Ouko.
In October last year, the Nairobi County Public Service Board put out a notice calling for applications for five positions of CEC’s.
This part of governor Sonko’s move to replace sacked CEC’s and those whose contracts had run out.
The new additions were to be in place by end of November according to acting county secretary Pauline Kahiga and with this vacancies remaining open, focus remains on likely candidates including that of the deputy governor’s slot and service delivery to the residents of Nairobi.