The Governor of Taita Taveta County Andrew Mwadime has fired the County Executive Committee (CEC) member for health Gifton Mkaya.
This development comes just a few days after journalists staged protests outside the county assembly demanding his removal for discriminatory remarks he made on journalists, threatening press freedom.
In a press release dated February 24, however, the Governor revealed that drastic action was taken to "enhance efficiency" in the healthcare sector of the county.
"The Office of the Governor wishes to inform all county departments, stakeholders and members of the public that, effective 24th February 2025, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health Services, Mr. Gifton Mkaya has been dismissed from office pursuant to the provisions of Section 31(a) of the County Governments Act," part of the statement read.
"This decision has been taken to enhance efficiency and improve healthcare service delivery within the County Government of Taita Taveta."
In his place, Governor Mwadime assigned the health services docket to the Deputy Governor, who will henceforth oversee the administration, coordination, and implementation of all county health policies, programmes, and services.
On February 17, over 30 journalists staged protests following the expiry of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the now-former CECM, demanding an apology for derogatory remarks he had made.
Mkaya is alleged to have imposed a blanket ban on journalists and vowed not to work with them.
During the demonstration, the journalists expressed concerns that such remarks undermined press freedom and hindered their efforts to serve the public through their reporting.
They urged the county government to ensure that journalists are treated with respect and provided with a conducive working environment, free from threats or intimidation.
"The County Executive Committee Member has adopted a very hostile stance against the media in a futile attempt to intimidate them and evade scrutiny. That is not going to happen," a representative of the media fraternity in Taita Taveta declared.
The disparaging remarks by the CECM were not the only issue raised by the journalists. One reporter noted that his camera equipment had been damaged while gathering news at Moi County and Referral Hospital, and the Media Council of Kenya had yet to intervene on his behalf.
