Bungoma: Governor Ken Lusaka Fires 4 Chief Officers Over Gross Misconduct: " With Immediate Effect"

• The four Chief Officers had been interdicted on February 2023 over accusations of abuse of office and corruption-related cases
• Governor Kenneth Lusaka said the four had disrupted a disciplinary committee meeting that offered them a fair hearing
• He said they were found guilty of gross misconduct, warranting their immediate dismissal from their duties and responsibilities

Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka has fired four Chief Officers over gross misconduct.

Bungoma Chief Officers fired

The four Chief Officers were identified as Isaac Aruput Juma, Maurice Marango, Abidan Kapchanga and Chrispinus Nyongesa.

In a letter to the press on Thursday, August 24, Lusaka explained that he had followed due procedures as stipulated in the Employment Act, 2007 to dismiss the four public officials from office with immediate effect.

He stated that the four officers were first interdicted to pave way for disciplinary processes on February 3, 2023.

Dissatisfied with the county's position, the officers filed a suit contesting their interdiction at the Employment and Labour Relations Court.

Employment and Labour Relations courts in Kenya

However, the High Court dismissed the petition on March 23, 2023 after hearing the matter raised by the four.

"On February 16, 2023 they filed a suit at the Employment and Labour Relations Court to challenge their interdiction. The petition was heard and the court dismissed the same on March 23, 2023 paving way for me to appoint a disciplinary committee to look into the accusations," Lusaka explained.

According to the county chief, after instituting a disciplinary process, the officers frustrated the exercise prompting the committee to proceed to write its final report on their fate.

"The committee commenced its proceedings and invited all the officers to appear before it at Mabanga ATC so that they can be accorded a fair hearing as it is stipulated within the law.

"The officers appeared and disrupted the proceedings making it difficult for the committee to discharge its mandate. The committee proceeded and handed in its report with several recommendations on the way forward," Lusaka added.

Kenneth Lusaka stamps authority

Citing the contents of the report from the disciplinary committee, Lusaka concluded that the four officers were guilty as charged.

He observed that they had breached Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 on leadership and integrity.

The governor specifically cited contravention of Article 10 on national values and principles of governance and Article 232 on Values and Principles of Public Service.

"Accordingly, and in accordance with Section 45 (1) (b) as read together with section 31 (d) of the County Governments Act, I hereby dismiss the four Chief Officers from the County Public Service with Immediate effect," Lusaka stated.

The four had been interdicted over abuse of office and corruption-related charges.