Vihiga governor Wilbur Ottichilo and County Assembly speaker Chris Omulele are embroiled in dirty power wars that nearly exploded during the vetting of newly appointed county executive committee members.
Ottichilo, elected on ODM ticket, opened the war fronts when he tried to frustrate Omulele’s efforts to become the Speaker of the third assembly because he enjoys the support of ANC allied MCAs.
In efforts to revenge, Omulele at one time tried to use friendly MCAs to reject the governor’s list of cabinet nominees but was prevailed upon by Ottichilo sympathizers.
Whiled speaking during the swearing-in ceremony of the County Executive Members (CEMs) Ottichilo announced that his executive members will be subjected to performance contract for efficient service delivery to the people of Vihiga.
Anne Chilande from Luanda sub-county in charge of environment, water, energy and natural resources, Jyrus Amayi in charge of finance and economic planning.
Julius Maruja from Hamisi subcounty representing the Terik the minority subtribe in Vihiga county CECM for physical planning, lands, housing and urban development, Meshack Mulongo from Emuhaya subcounty gender, culture, youth, sports and social services and Mike Iravo from Hamisi to head public service and administration.
But Vihiga county assembly’s committee on appointment rejected Marcy Lugaliki, the CECM nominee for tourism, commerce and cooperatives after she failed to produce her degree certificate.
In 2019, an audit report by Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) exposed weaknesses, loopholes and inefficiencies in Ottichilo’s administration which aided corruption and theft. They included failure to remit to the county revenue fund rent deductions collected from officers occupying county houses.
A Corruption Risk Assessment report detailing the findings was handed over to governor after EACC reviewed the systems, policies, procedures and practices of the County Executive between 26th November and 8th December 2018 as part of the activities commemorating the International Anti-Corruption Day — 9th December 2018.
But Ottichilo failed to seal the loopholes and to promote good governance in the county leading to the arrest of six senior officials in his administration in March 2022.
EACC stated that it undertook investigations following allegations of procurement irregularities and conflict of interest in the award of tenders for Supply of Toners and provision of Capacity Building and Development of a Risk Management Policy in the County Government of Vihiga.
The six were behind a scheme where a tender worth Sh21,000,000 was irregularly awarded to M/s Boyse Ventures Limited.
