New Kalaki district leaders inherit empty offices with no records

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The new political leadership of Kalaki district has raised concern after finding that their predecessors allegedly left behind empty offices without files or official records.

After spending two days in his new office, the LC5 chairperson of Kalaki district, Moses Oriada, said that it was unfortunate that his predecessor left the file cabinets without any records for reference.

“I have entered this office without a single file. The boxes files in the file cabin are empty. How can this be the heart of a good leader?”

Marthat Adongo, the LC3 vice chairperson for Anyara subcounty in Kalaki district while taking oath during their swearing in. (Photo by Michael Onyinge)

Oriada, who previously served as LC3 chairperson of Otuboi subcounty, said he left all office materials and records for his successor when he vacated office. He said he expected the same standard as he assumed leadership of the district.

He explained that records, files and correspondence sent to the office of the district chairperson cease to be personal documents and instead become official records belonging to the office and the public for future reference.

Oriada tasked the chief administrative officer (CAO) of the district, Francho Olaboro, who received and handed over the offices, to establish the whereabouts of the missing documents.

There are allegations that the former district chairperson ferried files and documents meant for the office to an unknown destination. However, Oriada said that since the district was handed over to the CAO, he should now be answerable.

Meanwhile, the LC5 vice chairperson, Christine Areo, also said there was nothing vital left in her office by her predecessor.

The district secretaries for finance, planning and administration, Edmond Ochan, and for health and education, Monica Ipega, also said there were no documents left in their offices.

Ipega said she only found a few documents from 2021 and 2022 when the former secretary for health and education, Denis Daniel Obonyo, was still in office, but there was nothing from 2022 to date.

Ochan said that since he previously served on the council, he had been relying on documents given to him at that time, although he believes some may no longer be accurate due to amendments over the years.

The speaker of Kalaki District Council, Charles David Enepu, also said official gowns were missing from his office.

“I was sworn in and used the gown of the clerk to council to preside over the first council sitting. I thought the others would be available to me when I entered the office, but there is nothing, yet they were bought using public funds,” Enepu said.

He said office items are supposed to remain in the office whenever a leader ceases to hold a public position.

On another note, the new LC3 chairperson of Anyara subcounty, Joseph Emonu, also alleged that some documents appeared to have been burnt by his predecessor.

“I have reported the matter to the police and CAO, and I am waiting for the legal action that will be taken,” Emonu said.

He further alleged that he did not find any official documents in his office apart from a chair and a table.

Stella Aino, a secretary for works and technical services of Anyara subcounty as she took her oath. (Photo by Michael Onyinge)

CAO responds

The chief administrative officer of Kalaki, Francho Olaboro, who is the custodian of all district government property, admitted receiving concerns from the new political leadership.

Olaboro said it was improper for anyone to leave office with official files and correspondence.

He said he had communicated to all former leaders to return any official files that may have been taken so that the new leaders do not misunderstand their predecessors.

Olaboro added that since he is also new in the district, having spent less than a month in office, he expects cooperation from former political leaders in returning the files.

He warned that those who fail to comply will face action under the laws of the country.

Asked about the state of the district, he said that apart from the concerns raised, other government projects were progressing well.