You will carry your own cross, Wavinya warns corrupt officials

Machakos Governor, Wavinya Ndeti has fired a warning to senior officials in her government that they will carry their own cross should they indulge in corruption and other malpractices.

Speaking on Friday afternoon after witnessing the swearing-in of new Health executive, Justus Kasivu, Wavinya reminded county ministers and chief officers that they must uphold integrity as they discharge their duties to the citizens.

Wavinya reiterated that her government will not abet corrupt practices, noting that the lines for public officers were clearly drawn by the law, procedure and practice.

“County ministers and chief officers are among the top officials in the hierarchy of the county government and must uphold integrity in their day-to-day operations. They should not allow themselves to be compromised. Should any officer breach the code of integrity, I will not hesitate to take administrative action against them,” the governor declared.

Wavinya also cautioned members of the public to desist from encouraging corruption. “Members of the public must also not be seen to be encouraging these malpractices. It takes two for a bribe to be transacted. The law is explicit. The giver and the taker of a bribe are equally guilty,” she declared.

The warning comes barely a week after the county boss suspended her Roads, Transport and Public Works minister, Rita Ndunge, following claims she had been implicated in a bribery scandal.

Wavinya urged the new CEC-M to swiftly focus on accelerating the upward trajectory of health infrastructure expansion and improving the quality of healthcare service across all public health institutions.

“Your in-tray is already full. One of your first assignments will be steering these reforms to the highest possible standards. You must deliver,” she said.

The governor revealed that the health department was the executive’s biggest consumer of both recurrent and development expenditure, accounting to about a third of the county’s workforce. She said despite the challenge of the huge workforce necessitated by demand for healthcare services, her government had kept steady at promoting various cadres of healthcare staff.

County secretary, Muya Ndambuki described Kasivu as a seasoned professional whose ability to deliver in the health docket was outstanding. “We are confident that the new minister brings value to the team,” Dr Ndambuki said.

Kasivu takes over from Daniel Yumbya who resigned from the position about three months ago. Prior to his appointment, Kasivu served as the Medical Services chief officer in the county government of Machakos.