Interior Ministry is seeking Ksh10 million for the upgrade of Chief's offices after Kilimani Location Chief Patrick Adira was arrested for allegedly exposing the plight of his poor working conditions.
A statement by Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho comes amid concerns about the neglect of chiefs and the sub-chiefs who are the President's representatives in the grassroots.
The statement by PS Kibicho read: “We really as a country have no excuse why we should have our national administrators in offices like that, but we need to put this in the right context."
He further added: "Offices of chiefs were established during colonial times, and the offices we are seeing were very fancy in 1963 but they are not fancy now.“
[caption caption="Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho"]
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The chief position is noted to have lost the honour it once enjoyed and Kibicho affirmed that the government was ready to step in and correct the problem which he termed as historical.
PS Kibicho stated that the government planned to allocate each Chief Ksh10 million while Sub-Chiefs Ksh5 million for refurbishment and maintenance of their offices.
The chief’s mobility is the first step followed by their accommodation and offices on government’s agenda.
Jerry ole Kina who is the Deputy Secretary General KUCS also defended the once glorious position noting that the common Mwananchi identifies from Chiefs more than police.
Ole Kina stated: “Without chiefs, then I don’t know how police stations would be like today. Chiefs are handling even the smallest domestic issues."
[caption caption="Kilimani Location Chief Patrick Adira"]
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He further noted: "Identification, it is only the chief who actually knows you and will give the info required to give you an ID card, birth certificate, you need a chief, so we cannot operate without the chiefs."
