Residents of West Pokot County have raised concerns over the absence of deputy governor who had deserted his duties at the expense of taxpayers’ money.
The residents faulted the area governor John Lonyangapuo who has not taken any step after his deputy Dr. Nicholas Atudonyang disserted duty for over seven months.
Led by Independent Pokot Leaders forum chairperson Ezekiel Pyegoh, the locals said the absence of the deputy has led to a vacuum in the county leadership, poor service delivery and lack of development.
The deputy doubles up as the Health County Executive committee member.
"His absence has led to poor services in the health docket that is fully devolved,” Pyegoh told the press in Kapenguria town.
The residents have given the governor an ultimatum of two weeks to sack and replace the Deputy Governor who resides in America for failing to work for locals.
The Deputy Governor who has been working as a neurosurgeon in Texas, United States of America (USA) has been away since he was sworn in immediately after August 2017 general elections.
Eight months since he was sworn in, the Deputy Governor has only been seen in the County for less than one month.
However, Governor Lonyangapuo has been quoted defending the Deputy Governor saying he went to bring a donation of health equipment and accused those calling for his deputy’s return, saying that they are playing selfish politics noting that he will return with goodies for the county.
“They want to get some fame by attacking my government. We will not respond to their issues because we all know he is on official duty,” he said.
The personal assistant to the Deputy Governor James Kodoso said: "the Governor knows where his Deputy is and he is doing great things in the health sector."
Kodoso said it is an arrangement between the Deputy Governor and the Governor and the County has received many goodies from Dr. Atudonyang.