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Sonko moves trusted lieutenants to key departments in latest cabinet reshuffle


Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has once again reshuffled his cabinet in readiness for a planned official unveiling of the new team early this week.

The changes, which were done silently done two weeks ago, have seen the Governor’s trusted lieutenants moved to key departments with an eye on filling key dockets which have been vacant for months now.

According to a source privy to the happenings at City Hall, Sonko’s ‘Mr Fix it’ Charles Kerich has been moved to the Finance and Economic Planning docket. He was heading Lands and Housing department.

This comes even as Economic Planning chief officer Winfred Kathagu had been vetted and approved to head the same docket.

In January, the governor had conducted another reorganization of his cabinet following the resignation of Janet Ouko.

Currently, the county has only five substantive executives with three more waiting to be sworn in after being approved by the County Assembly two weeks ago. Two more positions remain without any substantive holders.

REJECTED NOMINEE

The latest changes have also seen Transport executive Mohamed Dagane moved to the Health docket and even presided over his first official public function during the launch of Human Milk Bank in Pumwani Hospital on Friday.

Mr Dagane will now be replaced by former Trade executive Allan Igambi. Newton Munene (ICT and E-government) and Water executive Larry Wambua retained their dockets.

Environment, Education, Devolution, Trade and Lands remain without an executive. Sonia Birdi, Sonko’s nominee for Environment executive, was rejected by the Assembly while Lucia Mulwa (Education) and Pauline Kahiga (Devolution) are yet to be sworn in.

The new executives are yet to be sworn in even as the county still lacks a substantive County Attorney who would have sworn them in. the position is held by David Oseko in an acting capacity.

Nevertheless, Governor Sonko said that they will be sworn in on Monday, adding that he will also reinstate one of his former executives and advertise for the other remaining post.

TO BE SWORN IN

“They are going to be sworn in on Monday and we have issued circulars over the same. I was waiting for one who was out of the country but is now back. I also plan to reinstate one of the former and because of tribal balance I will advertise for the vacant one. All these will be done this week,” Sonko said on Sunday.

At the same time, number of chief officers were also affected by the reorganisation. Roads and Transport chief officer Engineer Fredrick Karanja now is Agriculture chief officer. His position has been taken over by Engineer Muthama.

Dr Washington Makodingo, formerly Agriculture chief officer, is the new Health chief officer. He takes over from Mohammed Salah who moves to Housing and Urban Planning.

However, Fredrick Nzioki (Trade), Halkano Waqo (ICT) Mohammed Abdi (Water), Leboo Morintat (Public Service Management), Anne Mwenda (Fire and Disaster Management), David Makori (Environment), Justus Kathenge (Planning), and Stephen Mwangi (Lands) have retained their dockets.

Governor Sonko’s communication director Elkana Jacob confirmed the changes explaining they were aimed at addressing gaps in his boss’s administration as well as to streamline service delivery.

“I cannot say it was a reshuffle but just changes to ensure efficient service delivery even as he fully constitutes his cabinet,” said Elkana.