Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka Reshuffles Cabinet Days After Sacking Entire Executive Team

Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka Reshuffles Cabinet Days After Sacking Entire Executive Team

Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka has announced a fresh reshuffle of his county cabinet, just days after dismissing the entire executive team, in a move aimed at maintaining continuity in governance amid an ongoing legal battle.

In a statement issued on Saturday, April 18, Lusaka confirmed that the changes would take immediate effect, even as the county government awaits the final determination of a court case challenging the earlier dismissals.

“As we await the final verdict of the court, the services of Bungoma County must not be disrupted. Hence, as guided by Article 179 and 183 of the Constitution… I make the following changes,” Lusaka stated, outlining the legal framework informing his decision.

The reshuffle follows a directive by the Employment and Labour Relations Court ordering the reinstatement of County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) who had been relieved of their duties earlier in April. The court’s intervention temporarily halted the sweeping changes that had initially seen the entire cabinet sent home.

In the latest adjustments, Caroline Makali has been moved from the Finance docket to the Roads Department, while Bonventure Chengek has been reassigned from Roads to head the Finance portfolio.

Additionally, Lusaka reappointed Wamamili David Wanyonyi to the Public Administration docket, expanding his responsibilities to include Gender, Sports, and Culture.

The county’s Deputy Governor, Jeniffer Mbatiyan, has also been brought into the cabinet in an acting capacity, taking over the Trade and Industrialisation docket.

“The deputy governor shall act as the CECM for Trade and Industrialization by virtue of section 32 (3) of the County Government Act,” Lusaka added, explaining the legal basis for her appointment.

At the same time, the governor retained several CECMs in key departments, including Water, Lands, Education, Agriculture, and Health, signalling an attempt to stabilise essential services within the county.

However, some officials were directed to step aside. Douglas Asita, who previously held the Trade portfolio, and Benedict Emachar of Gender, Sports, and Culture, were sent on leave pending further notice.

“Architect Douglas Asita… together with Benedict Emachar, proceed on leave until further notice,” the governor said, indicating ongoing internal adjustments within the executive.

The reshuffle comes in the wake of a legal challenge mounted by affected officials, who argued that their dismissal violated constitutional provisions on fair administrative action and labour practices.

“The dismissal was done in the form of a press statement and was not preceded by any semblance of procedural fairness at all,” the petitioners stated in court documents, adding that none of them had received formal termination letters.

The case has drawn attention to the limits of gubernatorial authority in restructuring county governments, with legal experts noting that while governors have the power to appoint and dismiss CECMs, such actions must comply with due process and constitutional safeguards.

Lusaka had, on April 9, dismissed all members of the County Executive Committee, alongside the County Attorney and County Secretary, citing the need to enhance efficiency and improve service delivery.

The decision triggered immediate legal action and sparked debate over governance practices at the county level, particularly regarding accountability and adherence to the rule of law.

Despite the ongoing dispute, the governor has maintained that his actions were taken in good faith and in the interest of effective administration.

The latest reshuffle now places Bungoma County at a critical juncture, as it seeks to balance legal compliance with the urgent need to sustain service delivery.

As the court prepares to deliver its final ruling, the developments are likely to set a precedent on how county executives navigate leadership changes within the framework of Kenya’s devolved system of government.

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Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka Reshuffles Cabinet Days After Sacking Entire Executive Team