Residents protest delays in appointing assistant chief for Nyari in Kilifi

Residents of Nyari in Kilifi County have expressed frustration over the prolonged delay in appointing a new assistant chief. It's been more than a year since the previous officeholder retired.

The residents claim that, despite the recruitment process being completed last year, with 17 out of 30 applicants making it to the final selection, no official communication has been made regarding the appointment.

Speaking after a meeting attended by Nyumba Kumi elders and religious leaders, the chairperson of the elders, Alex Mweni, decried the absence of a deputy chief, saying it had severely impacted service delivery.

He noted that the acting subchief only visits the area twice a week, leaving residents without crucial administrative support.

“We have been left without essential services. The acting chief comes here only twice a week, making it difficult for residents to get assistance when needed,” Mweni said.

Irene Thoya, a resident, expressed her disappointment, recalling that early last year, Nyari and four other sub-locations were declared vacant, and residents were encouraged to apply for the positions.

However, Nyari remains the only location yet to receive a subchief.

“It is shocking that Nyari is still without a sub-chief while the other four locations already have theirs. The delay is not only inconveniencing us as residents but also making the acting chief’s work harder, as he has to travel long distances to serve us,” Thoya lamented.

Her sentiments were echoed by Peter Fondo, who urged authorities to prioritise local youth for the position. He argued that Nyari has qualified individuals who can serve effectively, adding that the lack of a subchief had hindered development in the area.

“The youth here have the qualifications for the job. It is only fair that one of them is given the opportunity. Without a sub-chief, development in Nyari has stagnated,” Fondo said.

However, Kilifi County Commissioner Josphat Biwott revealed that last year’s recruitment results had been nullified due to bribery allegations. He mentioned that the position would be re-advertised.

“After thorough investigations, we established that bribery influenced the recruitment process. As a result, we have cancelled the results and will conduct a fresh recruitment exercise,” Biwott stated in a phone interview.

He urged residents to avoid engaging in corrupt practices, highlighting that the position rightfully belongs to Nyari residents.

He further assured them that a new deputy commissioner would oversee the upcoming recruitment, which would be fair and transparent.

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