Homa Bay Governor Cyprian Awiti has reportedly delegated his duties to his deputy Hamilton Orata.
Nation reports that the County boss made the move to seek medical care after undergoing eye operation in Germany.
According to his director of press service, Juma Aluoch, “All affairs of the county will be run by the deputy governor as it has been since the governor has been unwell”.
Awiti is said to have returned to Kenya two weeks ago but it is not clear whether he has moved out of the country again.
His absence from the limelight had sparked concerns over the running of the county affairs with local politicians criticising its operations.
Past media reports quoted Moses Kajwang’ (Senator) and Peter Kaluma (Homa Bay Town MP) demanding Awiti’s resignation.
“The governor should resign for entertaining corrupt ministers in his government. They have not delivered any meaningful services to residents and there is nothing going on in the county," Kaluma was quoted by the Nation.
"The governor should resign and we want the national government to take over the county then an election to be held after 90 days. The governor is a total failure and I regret supporting him. Homa Bay is on its death bed and needs urgent measures to be rescued," the Homa Bay Town MP added.
Homa Bay Bunge la Wenye Nchi Speaker Walter Opiyo indicated that they have collected 50,000 signatures as they seek to oust the governor by end of the year.
In February 2019, Awiti overcame a major political hurdle after the Supreme Court upheld his election.
This was after the Court of Appeal in July 19, 2018 ordered IEBC to conduct a fresh gubernatorial election following an election nullification in February 2018.
