Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro on Wednesday, May 10 dissolved the Malindi Municipality board after an outcry from members of the public over uncollected garbage and mushrooming of illegal dumpsites in the towns of Malindi and Watamu.
Governor Mung’aro responded by sacking the entire board and forwarded a list of new board members to the County Assembly for approval.
Among those shown the door, include the board chairman Geoffrey Katsole, Benjamin Sholo, Johnson Thoya, Rose Dama, Shehe Abdala, and Betty Munga.
“The Malindi Municipality board was unable to discharge duties and fulfil its mandate of service delivery to the people therefore by the powers vested in me pursuant to section 18(2A) of the Urban Areas and Cities Act, I hereby revoke the appointment of the board members for the Malindi Municipality,” he stated.
Mung’aro also dismissed the municipality manager Assad Sheyumbe and appointed a new manager Engineer Johnson Mwabati in acting capacity.
Mung’aro explained that their appointments were revoked with immediate effect and urged them to surrender all public property and documents in their custody to the Chief Officer of Housing and Urban Development.
“The Municipality plays a critical role in promotion, regulation and provision of refuse collection and solid waste management services as well as promoting and providing water and sanitation services and infrastructure in the areas within the municipality,” he stated.
He added that the board was the supreme organ of the municipality, mandated to oversee the general affairs of the municipality.
At the same time the Governor nominated Suleiman Omar as acting chairman, with Clara Mkambe, and Agnes Muturi as members of the board. He also promised to nominate four other members who will undergo a competitive appointment process.
“My administration is fully committed to ensuring effective, efficient and timely service delivery in our municipalities for the benefit of the people of Kilifi,” he explained.
Mung'aro, a former Kilifi North Member of Parliament, ordered heads of departments for Housing and Environment to pitch tents in Malindi until the illegal dumpsites are wiped out.
As part of his long-term plan, Mung’aro announced that the Malindi dumpsite and slaughterhouse will be relocated to an area far away from the town.
The uncollected garbage had become a health hazard in the two towns with residents complaining of the risks of disease outbreaks.
