Laikipia Deputy Governor Decries Inadequate Office, Says It Hampers Service Delivery
Laikipia Deputy Governor, Mr. Reuben Kamuri, has publicly voiced his frustration over what he terms as severe underfunding and a lack of basic facilitation for his office, stating that it is crippling his ability to effectively execute his constitutional duties. In a candid address during a public function in Rumuruti, the DG revealed that his office operates without an official vehicle, sufficient staff, or a dedicated operational budget, forcing him to rely on personal resources to carry out county assignments. This lack of support, he argued, undermines the very purpose of the deputy governor’s office and ultimately disadvantages the residents he serves.
The Deputy Governor, who is also the County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture and Livestock, detailed the challenges he faces daily. He stated that the situation has persisted since the start of the current administration, despite numerous internal memos and verbal requests to the relevant county departments for facilitation. How do you expect a DG to oversee critical agricultural projects in remote parts of this vast county when you cannot even facilitate his mobility? I have been using my personal car for county duties, and the wear and tear is immense. This is not a personal complaint, but a matter of principle and effective governance, Mr. Kamuri asserted, drawing mixed reactions from the audience.
The revelation has sparked a heated debate among Laikipia residents and political observers. Some have expressed solidarity with the DG, noting that a weakened deputy governor’s office affects the overall performance of the county government. If the DG is incapacitated, it means the functions assigned to him, especially in agriculture which is our backbone, are suffering. The county leadership needs to address this urgently, commented a local ward representative. However, critics of the Deputy Governor have dismissed his concerns as a political maneuver, suggesting it reflects deeper internal disagreements within the county’s top leadership.
The ball is now squarely in the court of Governor Joshua Irungu’s administration to respond to these serious allegations. All eyes will be on the County Assembly as well, to see if they will summon the relevant County Executive Members to explain the budgetary allocation for the Deputy Governor’s office. How this situation is resolved will be a critical test for the county’s internal cohesion and its commitment to ensuring all arms of the devolved unit are fully functional for the benefit of the public. The prolonged neglect of such a key office risks creating a significant governance gap in Laikipia’s administration.