There is growing tension within the Mombasa county government after Governor Hassan Joho advertised for all the 18 chief officers positions. The move has left many staff wondering if they will be make a comeback, after the current chief officers and other workers serving in the executive were asked to clear with the authorities.
Joho has not advertised the position for county executive committee members, however, the current lot has also been asked to clear with the relevant authorities.
The governor was expected to announce his 10-member new Cabinet last week, but he did not. The Mombasa government structure has 10 Cabinet slots with 18 departmental offices.
On Friday, Joho, through a paid-up advert in the local dailies and the official Mombasa county government website, declared all the 18 departmental head positions vacant.
The county chief officers are ranked in Job Group S, a group lower than the county executives, who are in Job Group T and earning approximately Sh300,000 per month.
The governor said the term of services of the applicants will be a five-year contract. All those who are currently serving will also need to re-apply if they wish to serve again in the Joho administration.
In 2013, the chief officers, executives and many individuals in the executive signed a five-year contract, which they are supposed to renew after the general election.
Residents interested in filling the 18 chief officers positions are required to apply before October 6, and should have at least a Bachelor degree and 10 years experience in a senior managerial position in either the public or private sector.
The positions include Finance and Economic Planning, Education, Information, Communication and Technology, Youth and Gender, Sports and Cultural Affairs, and Environment, Waste Management and Energy.
Others are Trade and Investment, Tourism, Lands, Physical Planning and Housing, Public Health, Medical Services, Water, Sanitation and Natural Resources, Transport, Infrastructure and Public works, Agriculture, Fisheries, Livestock and Cooperatives, Devolution and Public Service Administration and lastly in the governor’s office.
Before the August 8 General Election, three executives resigned and ventured into politics, but they lost.