Granton Samboja, Taita Taveta County Governor
Hi Cyprian,
I’d like to shed some light on some happenings in Taita Taveta County that have recently affected the operations in the department of health.
Since the inception of Governor Samboja's government, things all over the county have gone from bad to worse. It started in the county assembly; with the impeachment and government dissolution matters. All this was political and only the government stalemate on budget hampered service delivery.
Now, this political interference has come to the department of health.
In 3 years, the office of County Executive Committee Member of Health (CECM) and County Chief Officer of Health (CCOH) has been held by 6 different people overall. All these are political appointments so they did not directly hamper service delivery. What we as health workers did not like is the political interference brought in by politicians in the running of hospitals. There has not been a director of health for a long time. Most of the doctors appointed turn down the offer. Currently a third advertisement is running, looking for one
Trouble started with removing all Health Administrative officers (HAO) in major hospitals and posting them to other departments like trade, lands and public administration. Why?, is open for all to see.. they are signatories in matters finance in hospitals, it seems they were not cooperating with a few political individuals/ appointees who wanted to have a share of the hospital funds. These HAOs were redeployed via individual letters not even passed through the employment body County Public Service Board (CPSB), and the posting was done hush hush.
Next to be affected was the County Health Management Team. (This is the technical team link between the executives (CECM & CCOH) and the staff). This team was comprised of various cadres of individuals totaling to 20 of various tribal and educational backgrounds. The politics has trickled down to this.
The team was on Nov 18th disbanded and on 25th November redeployed to various stations.
These postings were maliciously done with the intent of removing qualified individuals and replacing them with very junior staff who lack experience and qualifications. One such individual with a Masters degree in Epidemiology was posted to a run-down non-operational facility to go and run! Others were posted to work under their juniors, whom they have supervised for years.
As far as experience and qualification was concerned, they did not follow any channel.
In their stead, only one tribe (Taitas) were appointed to these seats, with one or two from other tribes who are said to be supporters (vibaraka), remaining. And 6 people have now been given the duties of 20 or so officers.
These means that Health service delivery will deteriorate at this pace.
This is archaic leadership that is failing the citizens of Taita Taveta. The posting is attached for your references. PLEASE KEEP THE NAMES OF THE OFFICERS ANONYMOUS (nyakundireport.com decided not to share this document at this time) .
Please assist us and put out word of these injustice that is being done in Taita Taveta (that will definitely affect service delivery in the department of health and Taita Taveta administration as a whole).
Please assist us.
Regards,
Disgruntled Health Workers of Taita Taveta County
Concerned citizens of Taita Taveta
For any further clarifications, please do not hesitate to email