Issued directive: Raphael Magyezi.
The Local Government Minister, Rapheal Magyezi has directed Bukwo district council to convene for a Special council session to fill up the vacant position of the LC V Chairperson. The position fell vacant after the LC V Chairperson, Julius Moses Chelimo decided to quit his position on October 24th, 2022 citing personal reasons.
He was later arrested and remanded to prison on allegations of defilement and human trafficking. Now, in his November 3rd, 2022 letter, Magyezi directs that the Bukwo District Speaker, Merisa Cheptegei is sworn in as LC V chairperson and her deputy, Gilbert Kiplangat takes over as full council speaker. “This is to advise that, the speaker should perform the Functions of the District Chairperson in line with sec 18(5A) of the Local government Act Cap. 243,” the letter reads in part.
He says that during this period the deputy speaker shall act as Speaker, as provided under sec.18 (5E) According to Magezi, prior to the resignation and the arrest of Chelimo, he had revoked the appointment of his Vice, Patrick Cheptoyek on September 19th, 2022, who would be in a position to keep the office. Cheptegei says that they will abide by the directive from the Local Government Minister so as to allow the district to operate normally.
“Actually we are already getting set for an extraordinary council session, which will be witnessed by an official from the Ministry of Local Government to implement the directives of the Minister,” said Cheptegei. According to Cheptegei, the council session is slated for Friday, October 11 at Bukwo District Council Hall.
Fred Soyekwo, the Bukwo Town council LC V chairperson, says that several district programs have stalled following the resignation and the arrest of the chairperson. “We hope to kick off the implementation of district programs after the swearing-in of the interim Chairperson,” Soyekwo told URN in Bukwo.
-URN
