PANIC GRIPS CITY HALL AFTER KIDERO SHUFFLE

Panic has gripped Nairobi city county following the unexpected sacking of former town clerk John Gakuo who was the county executive committee member for environment, and Timothy Kingondu, who served as the health executive.
 

Sources say the two were dropped for non-performance. Following the mini shuffle by Evans Kidero, City Hall staff are now in state of panic as word spreads that more changes targetting other top management staff are in the offing targeting non-performers. Analysts say Kidero was sending signals to the effect you either deliver or be shown the door. Those who are out happen not to be small fish going by the positions they held. If Gakuo and Kingondu can go who then can be spared. Word has it, it is just the beginning of things to come. Already he has revamped his communication team with Walter Mongare alias Nyambane being in charge. Since his arrival at City Hall, Mongare has managed to inject new blood in  the once moribund department that was a let down to the governor and the entire county. Kidero of late features in the news on matters to do with service delivery that was rarely heard of. He has also featured in local television live coverages with residents making phone calls and taking him head-on. Nyambane’s arrival was not received well by Kidero deputy Jonathan Mueke a man eyeing the position 2017. His trouble with Nyambane is, he happens to be doing his job well unlike those in charge before who portrayed the governor a non performer with Mueke attending public functions on behalf of Kidero but ending up getting mileage in press coverage. At times Mueke even gatecrashed such functions, it is said.

The question is, was Mueke using the communication team to undermine and sabotage Kidero before the arrival of Mongare?

With Kidero’s latest moves, fear has gripped City Hall top cream who were seen not ‘to have taken their work seriously’. For a long time talk has been a section were sabotaging Kidero in his effort to deliver campaign promises to city residents. Kidero’s performance in Nairobi which is currently wanting will define his political future.

Kidero has been under pressure from MCAs to crack the whip on county executives not performing. Minority leader Elias Otieno and Kahawa West MCA Nguruiya Patrick have been vocal.

Back to the reshuffle, Anne Lokidor, formerly the executive for agriculture, fisheries and livestock development was appointed to the information communication technology docket, replacing Mohammed Abdullahi, who has now been appointed executive for roads, transport and public works.

Evans Ondieki has now replaced Gakuo as the environment, natural resources, water and energy executive while the governor has retained Anna Othoro, Tom Odongo and Gregory Mwakanongo in their dockets: trade, industrialisation, tourism and cooperative development; lands, housing; and physical planning and finance and economic planning, respectively.

Education county executive Christopher Khaemba will now hold two dockets, taking over as an interim executive for the agriculture, livestock and fisheries development docket, while public service management executive Mercy Kamau will also juggle two jobs as the interim health services executive. 

City Hall sources divulged that Gakuo and Kingondu had underperformed and had to be relieved of their duties. At one time, it i said, Kidero had asked the two to pull up their socks and were given targets to meet but the deadline passed without meeting the targets.