By TIMOTHY MBAYA

Luhya councils of elders (LCE) in Migori have blamed the County government of sidelining them in its activities.

The group that met for their election at a hotel in Migori town yesterday accused the governor Okoth Obado led administration of failing to consider the community in various job placements at the County government.

Led by former Councillor Benson Okera, the elders wondered why there was partiality in county job placements despite Governor Obado serving his second term in office.

“I have walked in all Ministry offices in the County and it is disappointing to note that not even a single Luhya is employed in the offices,” said Okera.

Okera said there were qualified individuals who were ready to be employed to some positions like for instance guards.

“I have been to Waziri’s office and right from the gate, not even the security guard is from our community. We want this corrected,” he said.

But the elder who prides himself in being the first Luhya to be elected to the then Local Authority as a Councillor in 1991noted that every minority community in the County deserved to be representated in the current government.

Abwao Kivanda who was elected as the LCE Secretary General said the Luhya’s deserve more slots in the County government as they also contributed towards its development.

“We (luhya) are voters in Migori, we pay taxes as well as take part in farming in this county and so whenever there is a vacancy, our people to be employed even on a smaller percentage to reciprocate our contribution to the government. Our sons and daughters should also drive big cars like others do,” said Kivanda.

Kivanda singled out the recent appointment to boards as some of the slots they wished their children were granted.

But in a separate interview, Oloo Keboko who petitioned the County government in the Employment and Labour relations court said accused the County government of deliberately leaving out the Luhya community by allegedly failing to meet the 20% threshold.

During the meeting, Absalom Mujukane was elected the LCE chair with Joyce Ngusare being elected as the women representative.

Meanwhile a section of the community has rejected yesterdays election saying the members were not a representative of the community.

The members in a WhatsApp group said the said LCE were only out to enrich themselves at the expense of the community.