By Reuben Olita
Elders from Chamasiri location and Teso North Member of Parliament have demanded for nullification of chiefs and assistant chiefs recruited recently claiming that the exercise was marred by corruption.
Addressing the press in Amagoro on Monday after presenting their petition to Teso North District County Commissioner, Stephen Wambura, the elders also took issue with Chamasiri location chief of his high handedness.
Teso Elders addressing the press in Amagoro on Monday, where they came to present their petition to Teso North DCC Stephen Wambura.
Village elder Evaline Oiki said they are ruled by a chief who abuses them most often and terming their children not educated with no academic credentials.
“The chief is running the office without involving the village elders, especially last Monday when he arranged for introduction of assistant chief in his office without involving village elders,” she said.
She added: ” During the posting of Changara Assistant County Commissioner, the Chief travelled alone without inviting village elders to confirm the way he is segregating us.”
Oiki said they won’t sit and watch the local administration taken over by outsiders, yet the locals are educated to take up those positions; they would have welcomed the assistant chief if she has stayed in the area for several years.
Mzee Patrick Odeke, 71, said he has records that residents of Chamasiri are highly educated, contrary to the chief and other sceptics, adding that they have invested heavily in the education of their children.
“I want those candidates from the location who applied and those who were recruited to table their papers to prove that residents of Chamasiri and more educated.
Mzee Peter Ipalei Elly claimed corruption took its toll in the recruitment exercise, appealing to the ACC and DCC to tell them who passed the interview and whether the area has sons and daughters who are not educated.
Mzee Tom Omoit Naftali, 81, said chamasiri location gave birth to Kakemer location, wondering why the segregation in appointments of chiefs and assistant chiefs?
He claimed the chief was a son-in-law in the area, which was against the Iteso culture, that does not allow him to have taken up the position.
Area Member of Parliament Hon Oku Kaunya in his petition to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said corruption and individual interests took centre stage during the past era that saw the nullification of lists of Chiefs and assistant chiefs recruited.
“The same exercise was repeated several times with the same people recruited again,” he said, urging the CS to order the nullification of the exercise and fresh appointments carried out.
Kaunya said one of the chiefs appointed is 47 years old, which was against the Public Service Commission rules and regulations; Another appointed, was sacked from the forces with the other hailing from another county.
