Kenya: Kisumu Mayor, Town Clerk in tight corner over directive
Posted by africanpress on April 5, 2008
Published by Korir, api africanpress@getmail.no
<Story from Shem Kosse
The graft-ridden kisumu city council recent decision to non-staff tenants to vacate its houses especially in the posh estate of millimani has elicited sharp reaction across the current occupants of the houses and the political divide on the other hand.
Talking on strict conditions of anonymity, the enraged residents’ of milimani took issue with the city’s new mayor Sam Okello and clerk Mr. Rashid Makiwiwi for allegedly implementing the directive selectively.
”Why spare some people and yet this was a full council meeting resolution? “ gloated one resident.
”The council should apply directive fairly irrespective of ones political status in the society! “ added one of the fiery politician in the lakeside city.
The duo, according to inner sources, are in catch 22 position.Tthey are yet to serve some occupants of the up-market estate with the notice of vacation since they are prominent personalities in the luo land’ political and business circles.
Ahead of the pack is the prime minister designate Hon Raila Odinga,Gem Mp Hon Jakoyo Midiwo,ODM secretariat think-tank bespectacled prof Larry Gumbe,Mollasses plant top echelon official Mr. Israel Agina and banking expert Mr. Mkuria,among others are some of the high profile personalities who are reportedly being treated with the soft gloves.
Unconfirmed reports further reveals that the city mayor who is a perennial parliamentary looser of Muhoroni seat and the town clerk held a secret meeting with some Asian tycoons at the exclusive Nyanza club in what is largely seen as a controversial bid to maintain the status quo(read not to quit the houses).
Independent investigations also reveals that some of the council houses which were begging for refurbishment,were rented out to organizations on contractual basis who repaired them in turn.
And they too were issued with quit notices and their repective contracts are yet to expire.This is likely to open flood gates of legal suits against the financially crippling council.
Consecutive efforts to reach the soft spoken mayor and town clerk for comment proved futile by the time of going to the press.
A one -month notice to repossess the council houses was made at a full council meeting which was chaired by the city’s mayor and with Town clerk as the secretary.
The clerk to the council Mr. Rashid Mwakiwiwi earlier said that the move was in tandem with the mechanisms being put in place so that the cash-strapped council can be able to recover money it is owed by the tenants.
It was unearthed that the tenants owe the council over ksh 1M in rent arrears with some having to pay between ksh.200, 000-5OO, OOO.
Further, the clerk said some senior officers at the council have been compelled to live in non-council houses with some in deplorable state. While the rent defaulters are enjoying the civic body’s facilities at the heart of the town and it’s environ.
The tough talking Makiwiwi promised to read the riot act to those who will defy the ultimatum.
ENDS.
__________________
African Press International – api
