The recent revelations that Kwale County Public Service Board employed five brothes in between 2018 and 2021 has reached the national Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), with human rights Lobby, Human Rights Agenda (HURIA) urging the integration body to investigate the allegations.
The rights organisation says there is no way an entire family can secure employment in the Kwale County government, and the situation depicts high levels of nepotism, discrimination and ‘clanism’ denying other qualified people job opportunities.
HURIA Executive Director Yusuf Lule Mwatsefu stated that following the recent revelations brought to the public attention, the employment of five Kwale brothers who are also facing corruption charges should be fully investigated and the truth made public.
The brothers; Vincent Chirima Mbito who was the County Head of Treasury, Mongo Mongo Mbito, the County Revenue Officer, Hassan Shilingi Mbito, a driver with the Kwale Water and Sewerage Company Limited, the Kwale County Procurement Officer Mwaiwe Mongo Mbito and an intern at the Kwale County under the Ministry of Health, Chindoro Mongo Mbito shocked the public after it emerged that they were all employed by the Kwale County government.
Equally, Lule has written to the Kwale County Public Service Board Chairperson demanding answers over the alleged nepotism, which locals and activists have linked it to ‘clannism’ in employment.
“We want to know when and how did the Kwale County Government employ the said persons? Whether the said persons are truly brothers as revealed recently in the public media outlets and whether the employment of the said officers was based on merit, fair competition, representation of the county’s diversity, and in consideration of provision for adequate and equal opportunities for Kwale people,” said Mr Lule.
The activist further revealed that it is in contravention of the standards, values, and principles set out in the Constitution.
“In exercise of our right to access information, the County Government obligates County government authorities, agencies and agents to respond expeditiously to petitions and challenges from citizens, we wish to give the board seven days to respond to this inquiry,” said Lule.
[Human Rights Agenda (HURIA) Executive Director Yusuf Lule Mwatsefu. Photo/HURIA/March, 19, 24].
The EACC recently arrested the five brothers following allegations of embezzlement of Ksh 48.9 million shillings, a graft case that is currently before court.
The Kwale county public service board and the county leadership have remained mum over the controversy.
