Kisii Admin Executive: 'I'm not aware that I was moved to Sports'
Troubled Kisii County Administration Executive Alfred Ndemo speaking to journalists in his Nairobi home. Photo/Charles Magati
An embattled Kisii County Government official now alleges that frosty relationship with his boss Governor Simba Arati gave him a bad footing in the devolved unit.
Dr Alfred Ndemo, further spoke of “an overbearing shadowy figure close to Governor Arati's administration” among reasons the County's development agenda is at a snail's pace.
He, however, insists that he never deserted duty as County Administration Executive job adding that he was still the bonafide office holder.
He said he is not aware of being moved to the Culture and Sports docket by Governor Arati.
"I have no communication to that effect that I was moved to any other docket. What I know is that I'm still in office as the Administrative Executive," Dr Ndemo told AVDelta News in his Nairobi home.
Dr Ndemo, however, acknowledges that it has not been easy since the foiled impeachment bid against him.
The executive had initially been out of office for close to a year following his interdiction by Governor Arati over undisclosed reasons before an impeachment was floated against him. It flopped.
Among the charges that had been levelled against him included alleged misuse of his powers where he allegedly asked an enforcement officer (kanjo) to escort him home.
An ad-hoc committee probing him said in its report other charges included him purporting to have been "appointed by the governor to the Implementation Committee on the Establishment of the County Industrial Park while knowing the same to be untrue and spearheading the project without due authorisation in line with the law".
During voting however, 43 Members of County Assembly (MCAs) voted against the impeachment motion while 23 voted to have Dr Ndemo removed from office.
One member abstained while the other absconded voting.
Speaking Monday this week for the first time, Dr Ndemo termed all the charges leveled again him as a fabrication aimed at ending his career.
That is when he alleged that there is shadowy figure in the Arati administration who had grown uncomfortable because of his growing influence.
"I had begun to bring some sanity after I kicked out some goons lurking in the corridors of the County. These guys were even harassing women in the market, but I did not know I had stepped on someone's toe," Dr Ndemo said.
Shortly late after the failed impeachment plot, Dr Ndemo said he was kicked out of the executives WhatsApp group.
"I just woke up some day in April and found myself ejected from the group by a Mr Otucho, Head of Staff. Since then, I have been in the dark," Dr Ndemo told journalists.
“I was not given any reason, but I took it in positive stride. It was not a must I be there anyway because I was there. I never bothered to ask the governor or the admin of the group. I just decided now to wait for actionable official communication which is not forthcoming and that is why I'm here,” he said.
Speaking of the shadowy figure, he said the person controls executive decisions at Kisii County.
Dr Ndemo alleged that the person doctored a budget passed by the County Assembly.
“And when this happened, it was rejected by the Controller of Budget for the errors,” he said.
Asked to explain why he is not reporting to office, Dr Ndemo said he has been kept in the dark.
"Am just in the dark, no assigned work so far, but I'm available," said Dr Ndemo who said he may now vie for gubernatorial seat in 2027.
"I know I was among those who saw great potential in Mr Arati, but he has failed the electorate.... I apologise to our people. Never shall I repeat such mistakes," the formerly World Bank Consultant said.
He said half through his administration, “Governor Arati still has a long way to go to impress.”
“His manifesto is just a paper now… no miracle being witnessed which he had promised during the campaigns,” he said.
But Governor Arati is on record saying that his focus is to see Kisii residents do business and flourish.
He has partnered with financial institutions to open doors for residents to access loans to start and boost businesses as well as launch digital literacy skills hubs.
