Activists Petition County Government Over Pollution Along Sabaki River

Tensions flared during Monday’s Machakos County Assembly sitting after county chief officers failed to honor a summons to explain hiring practices within the county administration. The no-show sparked heated exchanges between Members of the County Assembly, with the Minority side accusing the county government of operating opaque and unfair recruitment processes. The session, which was expected to shed light on how staff are being hired across various departments, instead devolved into a shouting match as frustrations mounted over what some MCAs described as persistent evasion of accountability.
Leading the charge was Kinanie/Mathatani Ward MCA Francis Kavyu, who criticized the Majority side for allegedly shielding the executive from scrutiny. He argued that the continued failure to provide clear answers raised suspicions of favoritism, political patronage, and irregular employment procedures. The Minority MCAs insisted that transparent and merit-based recruitment is essential for effective service delivery and public trust. The incident adds to growing concerns over governance practices in the county, where questions around public appointments and resource allocation have increasingly taken center stage.
In response to the dispute, Speaker Ann Kiusya intervened to restore order and directed the County Assembly’s Public Service Committee to investigate the allegations. She ordered the committee to compile a comprehensive report and present it to the House within 21 days. The statement sought by Hon. Ngunga is hereby referred to the Labour and ICT Committee, to report back within 21 days, Speaker Kiusya ruled. The report is expected to detail whether hiring procedures adhered to legal and ethical guidelines, and could shape future administrative reforms.
The outcome of the inquiry is likely to influence political dynamics in Machakos, as both sides prepare to defend their positions. For residents and county staff alike, the findings may offer clarity on whether the employment process has been fair—or whether deeper structural changes are needed to restore confidence in public service management.