Did Kihika's silent cabinet reshuffle inhibit public's right to information?
The office of the governor in Nakuru city.
A mini reshuffle in Governor Susan Kihika’s cabinet has raised eyebrows among the members of the public after the county failed to make communication over the changes.
The affected dockets in the new changes are the health and public service and devolution which were headed by Dr Jacqueline Osoro and Ms Roselyn Mungai respectively. The changes saw the two county executive members switch positions.
Divergent opinion has however, been raised over the decision by the county administration not to make public the information regarding the changes made in the cabinet.
While one faction claims the governor is within her rights to make decisions as she deems fit, another group argues that it was imperative for her to communicate the changes to the electorate.
CEC Jacqueline Osoro during a meeting with members of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Union's (KMPDU) on September 8, 2023.
Mr Mwangi Muraya the coordinator of the Nakuru Human Rights Defenders Network argues that the governor ought to promote transparency and accountability in her government by providing necessary information to the citizens who elected her to the office.
According to Mr Mwangi, the governor is holding the office on behalf of the electorates and she has to inform them of some of the important decisions she makes in her office.
“The governor should know that even though she has the prerogative to decide what changes to make to her cabinet, she is holding the office on behalf of the residents who reserve the right to be informed of such decisions,” said Mr Muraya.
Lawyer Pascal Mbeche on the other hand notes that all changes to the cabinet must be communicated by the head of public service in the county to the respective departments.
The communication, he said, is what gives credence to the changes and enables the person to perform the duties pertaining to the station.
“The County Secretary who is the head of public service in the county has to make a communication regarding the changes in the cabinet which can be in form of notices or memo to the effect. Any changes made without such communication can only be regarded as rumours,” said Mr Mbeche.
Efforts by this reporter to reach the County Secretary Dr Samuel Mwaura for confirmation did not bear fruits as he did not pick calls nor respond to text messages.
However, Dr Roselyn Mungai in a phone interview with Mtaa Wangu confirmed that she was transferred from the Public service docket to health.
“The changes were effected about a week ago where I was moved from the public service and devolution to health docket while Ms Osoro took over my former position,” said Ms Mungai.
The county government has also been posting in its official Facebook page referring to Ms Mungai as the CEC for Health.
Ms Osoro is currently on leave.