Members of the Kericho County Assembly have launched a probe into two County Executive Committee (CEC) members.
The ward reps questioned the citizenship status of the two officials handpicked by Governor Paul Chepkwony to join his administration as they have been missing for several months.
Dr Moses Lang'at who heads the Education, Culture and Social Services Department was at Surrey University in the United Kingdom (UK) before his appointment.
Geoffrey Ruto, in charge of Forestry, Environment and Disaster Management is an environmental specialist who has worked with the US Military.
The two flew out of the country soon after they were sworn in and have missed the unveiling of various projects that fall under their dockets.
[caption caption="Governor Paul Chepkwony"]
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Hezron Kipng'eno, Majority Leader in the assembly, confirmed that investigations had begun to establish if the two held dual citizenship which is contrary to requirements on holding public office.
“We have launched investigations with a view of establishing Dr Langat and Mr Ruto’s true citizenship status. There are fears that the executive committee members in question hold dual citizenship.
"The Constitution doesn’t allow persons who hold dual citizenship to hold a public office,” Kipng'eno stated.
Kapsoit MCA Paul Chirchir, on the other hand, questioned the duo's commitment given that it was believed they were only going back to hand over everything necessary to their past employers.
“Dr Langat and Mr Ruto must demonstrate that they are committed to serving Kericho residents,” Chirchir noted.
Lang'at, however, defended himself stating that he was following the legal procedure that required him to resign before taking up his duties as CEC.
“There is a legal procedure which I am using. Before then, I have been working in the United Kingdom. If I do anything for Kericho County, it is pro bono as one can’t earn two salaries. I will be there (Kericho) soon,” he argued.
[caption caption="The entrance to the Kericho County Assembly"]
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