Kwale County Governor Salim Mvurya has taken decisive action by suspending three administrators from Mwereni ward in Lungalunga Sub County following allegations of theft involving relief food intended for the local population. The suspended officials include Acting Mwereni ward administrator Chaka Tsungu and two village administrators, who are accused of stealing six sacks of maize last Friday. The maize was part of a relief effort aimed at supporting residents facing food shortages due to the ongoing challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Governor Mvurya emphasized the critical importance of the relief food, which was distributed to every ward in the county to assist those at risk of starvation. He expressed his dismay at the actions of the administrators, stating, "The relief food that we are distributing is not enough to cater for 67 percent of Kwale people who need urgent assistance. We are surprised that officers who earn salaries every month could go to that extent of stealing relief food. We cannot tolerate this, and action must be taken against them."
The governor's stern warning to government officers about the misuse of local resources underscores the seriousness of the situation. He also urged residents to remain vigilant and report any incidents of oppression or misuse of resources. The county government has been actively distributing relief food to support its residents during the pandemic, but the theft of these resources by officials has raised concerns about accountability and transparency.
Matano Bakayoko, a resident of Mwereni who witnessed the incident, provided further details about the alleged theft. According to Bakayoko, the acting ward administrator enlisted a local boda boda operator to transport four sacks of maize to his shop and two sacks for himself. The administrator later decided to add another two sacks to his store, paying the boda boda rider Ksh 1,000 for his services. Bakayoko called on the county leadership to take firm action against such corrupt practices and remove the involved workers from their positions.
This incident comes just a month after another Mwereni ward administrator was dismissed for corruption, highlighting ongoing challenges in maintaining integrity among local officials. Governor Mvurya's swift response to the latest allegations reflects his commitment to ensuring that relief efforts reach those in need and that public resources are managed responsibly.
