Kenya: Chief’s Hiring Causes Row in Marigat

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

Irene Wairimu

1 July 2011

The Marigat community has moved to court to compel the government to furnish them with details of how the appointment of their local chief was carried out.

The community is opposed to the appointment of Marigat location chief Zephania Lekachuma whom they described as an outsider imposed on them by the provincial administration.

They have sued the PS in the Office of the President, the Attorney General, Rift Valley Provincial Commissioner and Marigat District Commissioner whom they want compelled to provide details of the selection process. The 685 residents of the location have accused the state of infringing on the constitutional rights by denying them access to information.

Through lawyer Gordon Ogola, the residents say the government has a duty to furnish them with information and the court should order the government to hand over the papers if the administrators are reluctant.

They intend to institute proceedings to contest the appointment, but can only do so after establishing the criteria used to appoint the chief. “The respondents should be compelled to supply us with copies of the recommendation upon which the appointment of Lekachuma was based on,” they have said.

The residents told Judge Anyara Emukule that the appointment of the chief in August last year brought strife in their community. They claim Lekachuma is from neighbouring Ng’ambo location and question his qualification for the job. His (Lekachuma) appointment sparked off tension in the community and especially between two tribes living in the area.

They claim developmental projects and services have been scuttled due to the tension. Judge Emukule will deliver his ruling on the matter on September 23.

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