On 21 November 2018, Migori Governor Okoth Obado announced a Cabinet reshuffle that removed one executive and left two key dockets in acting hands as his administration tried to steady itself amid internal friction.
Obado met his close advisers in Migori town on Tuesday before unveiling the changes. In a statement delivered by director of press Nicholas Anyuor, he said the move was meant to improve service delivery to residents of Migori county.
“In the interest of service delivery to the great people of Migori county, I have made the changes,” Obado said in the statement.
Trade executive Elizabeth Ochaye was replaced by Sheila Ghati, who moved from Public Service Management. Elijah Odhiambo was named Land executive and Moses Chamwada took over Public Works. Both were to act in the Public Service and Environment dockets.
The reshuffle also placed Valentine Ogongo in Agriculture, Scholarstica Obiero in Finance, Rebecca Maroa in Water, Iscar Oluoch in Health and Samson Maginga in Education. Christopher Rusana remained county secretary.
Several chief officers were also dropped in the wider shake-up. Earlier in 2018, army officer Kepher Nyamita had left the Environment and Disaster Management executive post to take up a military position, creating one of the gaps the county had been dealing with.
On October 30, Migori County Public Service Board chairman Peterlis Nyatuga said more positions would fall vacant by December 5 when contracts expired. He said the county would lose 11 chief officers and two directors in the Veterinary, Water and Energy departments.
A source said the pressure from empty offices, together with political and legal strain on the governor, had deepened infighting among staff and could trigger more changes.
Obado had been arrested on November 14 after guns were found in his homes, and he was later released on Sh500,000 bail. He was also facing charges in the murder of Rongo University student Sharon Otieno.
Migori traders chairman Tobias Omino and secretary Samuel Migore welcomed the changes, saying the trade sector had been lagging.
Related reports at the time included Obado’s denial of knowledge about the guns and the EACC raid that led to his arrest.
