NTV journalist Salim Swaleh lands top job at Nakuru County
Celebrated Nation Media Group journalist Salim Swaleh has landed a top post in the Nakuru County Government.
The NTV Swahili managing editor cum anchor has been named the ICT, e-Government, and public communication Chief Officer.
Mr Swaleh is among 21 people, whose names have been forwarded to the county assembly for vetting and approval.
The veteran news anchor, who initially worked with Citizen TV, joined NTV in 2018.
Mr Swaleh was born and bred in Nakuru’s Bondeni informal settlement area.
Other journalists who have landed jobs in Governor Susan Kihika’s administration include Mr Martin Gichinga (Director of Communication), Mr Kigotho Mwangi (Deputy Director of Communication), and Nation Media Group’s Nakuru-based photographer Titus Cheboite Kigen (photographer).
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Nakuru County Assembly clerk Joseph Mutua Malinda and former Nakuru Level Five Hospital superintendent John Murima’s names have also been submitted to the county assembly as Finance and Revenue Administration and Medical Services Chief Officers.
Mr Malinda served as Nakuru County Assembly clerk during Governors Kinuthia Mbugua and Lee Kinyanjui’s regimes.
“Pursuant to the provisions of the County Government of 2022, the county government placed an advert for qualified applicants to apply for the position of county chief officers. Twenty-one names found suitable have been forwarded to the county assembly for vetting and approval, “reads part of a communique signed by Governor Kihika.
This comes as Governor Kihika seeks to assemble her administration, two months after she took the oath of office.
However, last week the county boss faced a setback after the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Nakuru stopped the vetting of 10 County Executive Committee Member (CECM) nominees she had presented to the county assembly.
Lady Justice Hellen Wasilwa made the ruling, directing that the nominations be halted pending the hearing and determination of a petition challenging the process.
The orders followed a petition filed by a Nakuru-based medical doctor, Dr Magare Gikenyi seeking to challenge the nominations on grounds that the list did not reflect the ethnic and cultural diversity in the county.
According to Mr Gikenyi, the nominations by Governor Kihika are contrary to the County Government Act Number 17 of 2012.
As Governor Kihika crafts her administration, she is expected to introduce major changes in the county administration in the coming days.
Nairobi News has learnt that loyalty will be among the key factors in the appointments of the new cabinet members and other officials in her administration.
Those who were close to Ms Kihika and supported her campaign have a higher chance of being absorbed into the county executive.
Governor Kihika has indicated she would like to pursue the development plans initiated by her predecessor Mr Kinyanjui and address weaknesses to improve services.
The County Government Act enables a governor to appoint at most 10 County Executives Committee (CEC) members who will be in charge of policy administration in the counties.
The county boss should also have chief officers, who are often charged with the execution of the policies and accounting for funds spent. There are also county directors who serve under the COs among other senior officers.