I did not appoint Mishi, ask Mudavadi, says Joho

KWALE COUNTY

FEBRUARY 23, 2010

BY EUGENE OMILO

Kisauni Member of Parliament Hassan Joho has exonerated himself from claims that he is behind the controversial appointment of Mishi Juma to the Kwale county council.

Joho told yours truly yesterday that he is shocked his name is being dragged into the wrangles arising from the appointment of Mishi Juma as the public officer in the Kwale County council yet he is not the appointing authority.

“Let the minister concerned tackle that because I do not have the authority to appoint anybody in the local authorities,” said Joho.

He advised the councilors to follow the right channels in addressing problems in the council instead of making ‘baseless’ accusations.

The councilors had on Friday rejected Mishi’s swearing in ceremony claiming her appointment was unconstitutional.

Led by county chairman Mshenga Ruga, the councilors had said Local government minister Musalia Mudavadi overlooked a provision in the Local Authorities Act which provides that a person to be appointed to the public officer’s position should be a native of the district in which the council falls.

 Mshenga argued that the law disqualifies Mishi from taking the position since she is from Likoni district having unsuccessfully vied for the Likoni parliamentary seat in the 2002 general elections.

"We too have people who are qualified to hold the post and we should be given a chance just as the law dictates."

"We shall not keep quiet when our rights have been trampled upon,” said Mshenga who insisted that the leaders will not allow Mishi to assume office until Mudavadi listens to their woes.

The minister had through a January 19 gazette notice appointed Mishi to replace Mbogho Mbitso who was sacked in unclear circumstances.

ENDS…