This archive report was first published on 9 November 2019.
On October 28, 2019, the selection process for county executive members in Nyamira began, but it was shrouded in secrecy. The county government hired armed policemen to block journalists from entering the interview room, sparking concerns about transparency and accountability.
According to Kennedy Ongaga, the chief-of-staff, the interviews were being conducted by an ad-hoc committee constituted by Governor Amos Nyangarama. Despite Nyangarama's absence from the county headquarters, a person acting under his instructions allegedly issued the directive to bar journalists.
The journalists had requested to witness the process, but the panelists denied them access, citing a decision to keep the interviews private. One panelist, identified as Ouma, stated, 'We made a decision as a panel that there will be no one, not even the media will be allowed into the interview room and the resolution remains.'
Two armed policemen were stationed at the entrance of the boardroom, where they remained for most of the day. The interviews, which were scheduled to continue until October 30, 2019, have been marred by allegations of extortion and bribery. A candidate, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed that the panelists were inquiring about their bank accounts, suggesting that they were looking for individuals with the means to bribe them.
