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| an incident of disaster mismanagement in Nairobi |
Nairobi County Chief Officer Disaster Management Bramwel Simiyu found himself in a difficult situation when he appeared before the Senate Public Accounts Committee. The Senate said there was a serious mismatch of skills in Nairobi’s disaster management team. Senate summons Johnson Sakaja The powerful Senate committee summoned Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja and county executive officials to discuss several issues concerning the devolved unit’s financial situation. During the sittings, Senator Edwin Sifuna raised questions about the mismatch of skills in Sakaja’s workforce, saying the situation deprived Nairobi residents of better services. The senator took on Simiyu to explain why people with no background in disaster management and firefighting held key positions in the crucial department that city residents relied on to rescue and save lives during emergencies. Who are the Nairobi County Fire Department officers? According to the Sifuna, Anastacia Syombua, the principal fire officer in Nairobi county, was a theologian. Simiyu confirmed that Syombua was a theologian but did not get an opportunity to explain why she was given the position of principal fire officer. Simiyu also agreed with Sifuna that Julianna Nziuki, a principal officer in his department, also had a degree in theology. The senator disclosed that Brian Kariuki, who works in the fire department, had a degree in library studies. Simiyu disputed Sifuna’s statement, indicating that Kariuki was the chief fire officer, saying he was just part of the firefighting team. Nairobi disaster management team’s credentials questioned There was also the case of Belinda Anyango’s employment as a disaster management officer, yet she had a degree in tours and travel. Simiyu hesitated to respond, insinuating that he did not know the exact position of Anyango and would agree with whatever title Sifuna referred to. Sifuna told Sakaja that the questions were not in any way intended to undermine his administration but to help me streamline structures for excellent service delivery. “This is intended to help you reallocate these resources in a manner that will be most efficient for the people of Nairobi,” he said. The senator also called on Simiyu to review his department and ensure that qualified individuals were assigned duties in which they had expertise. “There is a mismatch of skills in your department. We have nothing personal against you or the mentioned officers. Those officers could be very useful in other departments where their qualifications are relevant,” Sifuna said. Simiyu was on the spot last year for disclosing that Nairobi county was planning to buy fire trucks, inflatable boats and motorboats to help them access flooded areas during the El Nino rains season.
by Michael Ollinga Oruko