Governor of Taita Taveta County Andrew Mwadime has fired the County Executive Committee (CEC) member for health Gifton Mkaya.
This comes days after journalists staged protests outside the county assembly demanding his removal for discriminatory remarks he made on journalists, threatening press freedom.
In a press release dated February 24, however, the Governor revealed that drastic action was taken to “enhance efficiency” in the healthcare sector of the county.
“The Office of the Governor wishes to inform all county departments, stakeholders and members of the public that, effective 24th February 2025, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health Services, Mr. Gifton Mkaya has been dismissed from office pursuant to the provisions of Section 31(a) of the County Governments Act,” part of the statement read.
“This decision has been taken to enhance efficiency and improve healthcare service delivery within the County Government of Taita Taveta.”
In his place, Governor Mwadime assigned the health services docket to the Deputy Governor, who will henceforth oversee the administration, coordination, and implementation of all county health policies, programmes, and services.
On February 17, over 30 journalists staged protests following the expiry of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the now-former CECM, demanding an apology for derogatory remarks he had made.
During the demonstration, the journalists expressed concerns that such remarks undermined press freedom and hindered their efforts to serve the public through their reporting.
“The County Executive Committee Member has adopted a very hostile stance against the media in a futile attempt to intimidate them and evade scrutiny. That is not going to happen,” a representative of the media fraternity in Taita Taveta declared.
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