Governor Kuti censures county staff for failing to defend his legacy

Isiolo Governor Mohamed Kuti is a distraught man, politically speaking.

His political camp is disintegrating by the day as some of his close allies shift their allegiance to his political foes, threatening his plans of seeking re-election in the 2022 General Election.

Most of his political appointees, including county executives, chief officers and directors of various departments, have been giving his events a wide berth.

But what perturbs the governor is the continued silence by his political foot soldiers amid heated criticism and online bashing in the recent past, which has significantly tarnished the image and perception of his government.

Dr Kuti is concerned about how fast “constant lies” from his rivals have depicted his administration in a “negative light” under the watch of the executives, chief officers and directors who should ideally be defending him.

The county government has found itself on the receiving end over the controversy surrounding the ICU beds for Covid-19 patients at Isiolo Referral Hospital, registration of community land to allow residents access title deeds, and alleged poor development track record.

Reshuffle looming

The Nation is aware Dr Kuti is disappointed with the manner in which some senior county government officials he had tasked to coordinate various county activities, due to his national engagements as the Council of Governors Health Committee Chair, were discharging their roles.

Determined to put his house in order ahead of his re-election bid, the governor has hinted at a looming reshuffle, which could see some of the senior county officials dropped.

While launching a one-day performance management workshop for the county officials in Isiolo town, Dr Kuti was categorical that the moles in the house will be hounded out and that being political appointees, the officials must preach his agenda and do so loudly.

“I have bestowed trust in you and if you take it elsewhere, I will take it from you. It is either you are with me or we part ways,” the tough-talking governor said.

According to sources, some of the county officials were secretly working with some local MPs who are Governor Kuti’s ardent critics.

He maintained that he would not tolerate disloyalty and defiance amongst the team and warned the officials against involving themselves in activities of his political detractors.

“I will not entertain disloyalty and officers participating and engaging in political activities away from the agenda of this government,” he said.

BBI signatures

The governor had, before attending the workshop, launched the BBI signature collection exercise in Isiolo town which saw a low turnout. His communications team showed up after he had addressed the few attendees.

He took a swipe at his press team for appearing late at the event and missing on some key details of his presentation.

Worried over the inadequate presence of government officials at his events, Governor Kuti ordered the County Secretary Ahmed Galgalo to ensure proper mobilisation of people, warning that the whip could start with him.

“When I do functions, I want to see government presence. You (County Secretary) are the one in charge and if I do not see that, I will start with you,” the Governor warned.

He directed county executives, chief officers and directors to be proactive and tell the public what the county had achieved in efforts towards rebuilding the tarnished image.

Many achievements

Dr Kuti said his administration had achieved a lot for the residents including improved health care, school infrastructure and sinking of boreholes, but most of the residents lacked the information, creating room for lies.

“I do not have to be the only one speaking to journalists every day. You should all own your dockets and tell our people what we have done across all media platforms. My work is to solidify your statements,” he told the officials.

“Let us all work together and do our work more diligently by marketing the government and building a better image by telling the truth on the table and not under.”

Dr Kuti rubbished claims by a section of MPs that his flagship projects of Isiolo town modern market, state-of-the-art stadium and county headquarters were largely funded by the national government and maintained that the county was shouldering the bigger cost.

He said the national government had contributed Sh18 million out of the Sh158 million for the county headquarters.

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