Mathias Ringa And Amina Kibirige
24 June 2008
Nairobi — Mombasa Town Clerk Wisdom Mwamburi has been transferred to Mavoko council.
Mr Mwamburi's transfer comes just seven months after he took over the post. Speaking to the Nation by phone from Nairobi on Monday, Mr Mwamburi said he will start work at his new station from Tuesday.
"I have been transferred to Mavoko Municipal Council. The transfer is normal, and I am willing to work anywhere in the country," he said. Mr Mwamburi's transfer came in the wake of divisions among civic leaders over a garbage collection contract with an Italian firm, Jacorossi Impresse. Mr Mwamburi backed a partnership with the Italian firm.
But Mayor Ahmed Abubakar Mohdhar demanded that the Town Clerk floats the tender again to give local firms a chance to bid for the job.
When Jacorossi officials made a presentation of their proposal last month, some councillors, hoteliers and businessmen expressed satisfaction with the Italian firm. Deputy mayor John Mcharo, however, said Local Government PS Sammy Kirui had ordered the council to stop any dealings with the Italian firm. Mr Mwamburi's sudden transfer has not gone down well with the Taita Council of Elders Mombasa chapter, who say he is a victim of political power play. Council of Elders vice-chairman Eliston Mwasela described the transfer as a demotion as Mavoko "is a small county council".
Block transfer
The elders called on the Deputy Prime Minister, who is also the Local Government minister, Mr Musalia Mudavadi, to block the transfer, which they said was aimed at facilitating corrupt deals.
"Top on the list of corrupt deals being planned by some tycoons is the sale of part of Jomo Kenyatta public beach," they said. Early this week, Tourism minister Najib Balala warned that he would not allow the beach to be grabbed.
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