There was drama at the Ocean Beach resort in Malindi when bodyguards and drivers of governors and delegates from all corners of the country who attended the three day Council of Governors conference on Extractive Mining were denied food for the entire period.
Efforts by staff from Kilifi County government to intervene bore no fruits as the organizers, vehemently refused to grant the aids and drivers meal cards insisting that they were not part of the programme.
“Since this forum was officially opened our colleagues have not been able to take anything taken anything inside here yet they are mandated to provide security services for our dignitaries,” one of a Kilifi County staff was overheard complaining to the organizer.
Some of the counties staff had tried to access the dining room area but they were repulsed by hotel staff who insisted on provision of meal cards or pay Sh. 2,000 for lunch.
It did not end there the worse thing was the scenario where the aids and drivers could not even be provided with drinking water a situation where they were forced to maneuver to Malindi town few kilometers away in looking for that commodity from kiosks.
“These people are really mistreating us and the behavior is getting out of hand. Our only seniors whom we trust in have not even raised these concerns over what we are going through,” complained some of the drivers.
From the conference hall where the forum proceedings were on progress a voice from the master of ceremony was heard telling governors and delegates to proceed to the dining table for lunch break while the rests were warming their chairs without knowing what next step to take.
Efforts to get recorded reply from the organizers were futile as they refused to speak to the media.
The conference that was attended by guest from 18 counties including six governors was convened to address the emerging legislation on extractive mining in Kenya.
The governors who attended the meeting include Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi and his deputy Gideon Zaburi, Nyandarua governor Francis Kimemia, Migori governor Okoth Obado, Tharaka Nithi governor Muthoni Njuki.
Taita Taveta County was represented by Deputy Governor Majala Mlagui while the rest of the counties were represented by County Executive Committee members.
According to Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi who opened the 3 days forum called on a all inclusive and harmonized extractive law that will safeguard the interests of Counties.
The forum however is expected to end today.