In what appears to be a politically motivated witch hunt, Kitui County Secretary, Ms. Agnes Kawila Mulewa, has come under fire from certain members of the County Assembly, spearheaded by chair committee on labour and social welfare and MCA Joseph Kasungi Kavula of Waita Ward and Nguni MCA Jeremiah Mutua and member of the committee.
These MCAs, both hailing from the Mwingi region, have been accused of pursuing an agenda driven by personal vendettas rather than genuine concerns about governance.
Reliable sources suggest that the two MCAs may be acting on behalf of a former Mwingi Chief Officer who was dismissed over serious corruption allegations. This former official, whose reputation has been tarnished by his past misdeeds, is reportedly using these MCAs as pawns to exact revenge against Ms. Mulewa, whose commitment to clean governance threatens his interests.
It is also important to highlight that Ms. Mulewa, as a County Executive Officer, reports directly to His Excellency the Governor of Kitui County, Dr. Julius Malombe, and not to the County Assembly. The County Assembly may have oversight on county operations, but it does not have the authority to dictate who serves in the executive branch.
This critical distinction appears to have been conveniently overlooked by her accusers. If there were any purported illegality in Ms. Mulewa’s appointment, the first person who should have addressed it is the Governor himself, who is the ultimate appointing authority and the one who enacted the very laws the assembly members are now selectively citing.
Moreover, the actions of the Committee has raised serious questions about their own integrity and motives. It has been noted that the Labor and Social Welfare Committee, chaired by Kavula, remained silent for over a year after Ms. Mulewa’s appointment as Acting County Secretary on December 20, 2022.
The six-month period within which her acting capacity should have been regularized expired on May 20, 2023, yet the committee did nothing until 13 months later. This long delay suggests that the recent outcry is not about upholding the law but rather about exploiting a situation for political gain.
Ms. Mulewa’s record speaks for itself. As Acting County Secretary and Chief Officer for Public Service, she has maintained a strong commitment to transparency and accountability, qualities that have clearly rattled those with less noble intentions.
The timing and nature of the accusations against her seem orchestrated to serve the interests of individuals whose past actions have no place in a government dedicated to serving the people of Kitui.
Observers are now questioning the true motives behind the sudden flurry of activity from the Mwingi-based MCAs, wondering if their focus on Ms. Mulewa is part of a broader strategy to destabilize the current administration for personal or regional gain.
Meanwhile, Ms. Mulewa continues to serve Kitui County with the professionalism and dedication that have marked her career, undeterred by the politically charged attacks against her.
As the situation unfolds, it is becoming increasingly clear that this is not a case of holding public officers accountable but rather an attempt to discredit a dedicated public servant for reasons that have little to do with good governance.
Kitui residents deserve leaders who act in their best interests, not those who are manipulated by disgraced former officials seeking to settle old scores.
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