Gov. Otichillo’s arrogancy and dictatorial tendencies led him to commit a political blunder by Sacking Prof Kibisu Kabatesi.

When Vihiga county elected Hon Wilbur Otichillo as the county’s Ceo, many people breathed a sigh of relief in the hope that he would replicate the good work that he had done in Emuhaya. This expectation however has left many people crestfallen and several impeachment motions have been plotted by county MCA’s only for them to be shelved at the 11th hour.

“Otichillo is such a big let down, his main business at the county has been to sack people on the pretext that they are moles simply because they served under former Governor Akaranga. Even mentioning the name of the first governor is a treasonable offense punishable by an immediate sack” a member of staff who did not wish to be named for fear of facing the sack said.

What crime did Kibisu Kabatesi commit to warrant the unceremonious sack?

Gov. Ottichilo’s letter of dismissal

Prof Kibisu Kabatesi became the latest highest-ranking member of the Vihiga county executive to be shown the door albeit unceremoniously. Governor Otichillo plucked the University of Nairobi don to come and help him as an advisor. Kabatesi has had a glamourous career as a Professor at the University of Nairobi and a longtime press secretary to Hon Mudavadi. During the Nasa formation, Kabatesi played a herculean task of propagating Nasa’s positive image.

It is against this backdrop that Otichillo saw it wise to bring him on board as his advisor. According to reliable sources at the county headquarters, Kabatesi and Otichillo were enjoying a good working relationship but his sacking while visiting his doctor in Nairobi for a routine medical check up baffled many.

According to information seen by www.goodmorningKenya.com, Kabatesi despite his medical status then (for he was unwell hence his visit to Nairobi) he had advised Otichillo to step up the water project to help reap political capital. Kabatesi had openly wondered before the governor why a section of the county staff was not playing their role in explaining to the electorates the tremendous steps the governor was making in developing the county.

Kabatesi’s advice on the county’s preparedness in the face of the covid 19 pandemics.

Just before his sack, Kabatesi had advised the governor on precautionary measures against covid 19. According to information seen by GoodmorningKenya news, Kabatesi had sought Otichillo’s indulgence in applying for PPE’s from Safaricom foundation to be distributed to health facilities in Vihiga county. ….. that Safaricom & Mpesa Foundations are donating Covid-19 PPEs to Counties. What is needed is an application from the County stating needed donations…Kabatesi advised.

Prof Kibisu Kabatesi.

This advice was not heeded but instead, he was given a sack. “To curb against laxity and incompetence, implementing officers should be held accountable.” It has further emerged that Kabatesi wanted the best for both the governor and the electorates. According to a staff who was privy to goings around the governor, we can reliably report that Kabatesi had advised Otichillo to hold implementing officers accountable and ensure work is done unapologetically.

“Kabetesi really wanted every officer charged with delivering and implementation to work. This was directly going to market the governor positively going into the 2022 elections. It is a pity that Governor Otichillo fired Mr. Kabatesi in such a manner” he said. Governor Otichillo has since replaced Kabatesi with Ochiel. Will Ochiel deliver where the Don “failed” or was Otichillo just pulling a clan trump card by replacing Kabatesi a Maragoli by Sikalo Ochiel a fellow Nyore? Time will tell.