This archive report was first published on 7 November 2019.
Published on November 7, 2019, a spot check by the Nation revealed that Migori County's departmental cars have been grounded due to the administration's failure to pay third-party insurers.
As a result, the only operating Migori County vehicles are hospital ambulances, while Governor Okoth Obado's office chase cars are also grounded.
County drivers, who spoke to the media on anonymity, reported that they have been working for private individuals to meet their financial obligations, as they have not been able to work for the last three months due to the lack of insured vehicles.
"We report to work as usual, bask in the sun for the better part of the day then leave to our homes without doing anything. We now offer services to private entities as long as they can pay. We cannot stay idle for three months yet we have financial obligations to meet," one of the drivers said.
However, Erick Mwango, the Migori County Fleet Manager, disputed the claim, stating that the vehicles have only been grounded for two weeks due to the sluggish pace of the procurement department.
"We grounded the vehicles and forwarded all the requirements to the procurement department. We are still waiting for their feedback since the buck stops at their desk. The new insurance can only be gotten after tenders are advertised and that is yet to be effected. Our hands are tied since we cannot release the vehicles to the departments in their current state," Mwango said.
