This archive report was first published on 21 August 2019.
On August 21, 2019, Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya issued a directive to all county employees to refrain from doing business with the county government or through a proxy.
According to Oparanya, such arrangements lead to the county procuring goods and services at inflated prices.
Addressing county executive members, chief officers, and heads of departments at Golf Hotel Kakamega, Oparanya stated, "A directive is hereby issued to all employees of the county to with immediate effect to refrain themselves from doing any business with the county government or through a proxy. Such arrangements make the county to procure goods and services at inflated prices."
Oparanya emphasized that the war on corruption in the country is unstoppable, and he has decided to crack the whip starting with county employees engaged in corrupt activities to serve as a deterrent to the rest.
He added, "As a county staff, you will be required to declare your interest in any business your kinsman wants to do with the county government. The county staff and his or relative will be thoroughly scrutinised before the tender is awarded."
The ban comes just two weeks after the governor sent 143 revenue collection officers on a 60-day compulsory leave and replaced them with community administrators.
A senior county official revealed that the decision to send the revenue officers on compulsory leave was made after the governor discovered that a lot of money collected was ending up in individual pockets.
