EALA To Discuss Report On Mushega
Jul 20, 2003
THE East African Legislative Assembly (EALA)reconvenes in Arusha Tanzania today to consider, among others, a damning probe report on alleged maladministration by the Secretary General, Maj. Amanya Mushega.
THE East African Legislative Assembly (EALA)reconvenes in Arusha Tanzania today to consider, among others, a damning probe report on alleged maladministration by the Secretary General, Maj. Amanya Mushega.
Felix Osike writes that the 46-page report with annextures, says there has been a communication breakdown as most staff appear terrified.
“The prevailing mood at the secretariat breeds fear among the staff and many appear to be playing safe to avoid the wrath of the chief executive (Mushega),†says the report yet to be released.
Mushega’s poor working relations reportedly led to the resignation of the Clerk to the East African Assembly, Kenya’s Werunga Murumba, even before his probation period ended. The Kenyan National Assembly reacted furiously to the trend of events at the Community headquarters. Werunga has been re-deployed at the Kenya National Assembly.
The Assembly select committee was constituted to investigate circumstances under which Werunga resigned and the poor working relations at EAC headquarters. The motion for the establishment of the committee was moved by Ochieng Mbeo (Kenya) in February this year and overwhelmingly supported by the members. EALA has 27 MPs, nine from each country.
The committee was composed of Sarah Bagalaaliwo (Uganda), Ambassador Isaac Sepetu (Tanzania) and Rose Waruhiu (Kenya). They submitted their findings in May this year.
Among those interviewed were EALA Speaker Abdulrahman Kinana, former Kenya minister Nicholas Biwott, Amb. Francis Muthaura of Presidents Office Nairobi, Mushega, the Speakers and Clerks of the National Assemblies of Kenya and Tanzania, James Wapakhabulo and Kalonzo Musyoka
According to the report, some staff complained that Mushega was hot-tempered. The report also says the welfare of the secretariat staff had not been addressed. At least three personal secretaries had developed mental problems due to stress, it says.
“The staff work long hours, are generally dissatisfied and lack an in built system for airing grievances.â€
Mushega is also accused of being arrogant and absent from meetings. “The continued absence of the Secretary General and his staff from the assembly meetings can either be interpreted as disrespect or deliberate frustration of the assembly,†says the report.
The report says Mushega’s apparent desire to control and direct the functioning of the assembly is “incomprehensible.â€
Mushega dismissed the allegations and challenged The New Vision to visit Arusha and do an independent investigation. “I will give my response to the Assembly not the papers,†he said on telephone from Arusha
The Deputy Secretary General, Dr. Cheluget Kipyego, defended Mushega. “I have worked with him for a number of years and he is very friendly,†said Cheluget.
The report hinted on acrimony at the Secretariat.
Ends
Felix Osike writes that the 46-page report with annextures, says there has been a communication breakdown as most staff appear terrified.
“The prevailing mood at the secretariat breeds fear among the staff and many appear to be playing safe to avoid the wrath of the chief executive (Mushega),†says the report yet to be released.
Mushega’s poor working relations reportedly led to the resignation of the Clerk to the East African Assembly, Kenya’s Werunga Murumba, even before his probation period ended. The Kenyan National Assembly reacted furiously to the trend of events at the Community headquarters. Werunga has been re-deployed at the Kenya National Assembly.
The Assembly select committee was constituted to investigate circumstances under which Werunga resigned and the poor working relations at EAC headquarters. The motion for the establishment of the committee was moved by Ochieng Mbeo (Kenya) in February this year and overwhelmingly supported by the members. EALA has 27 MPs, nine from each country.
The committee was composed of Sarah Bagalaaliwo (Uganda), Ambassador Isaac Sepetu (Tanzania) and Rose Waruhiu (Kenya). They submitted their findings in May this year.
Among those interviewed were EALA Speaker Abdulrahman Kinana, former Kenya minister Nicholas Biwott, Amb. Francis Muthaura of Presidents Office Nairobi, Mushega, the Speakers and Clerks of the National Assemblies of Kenya and Tanzania, James Wapakhabulo and Kalonzo Musyoka
According to the report, some staff complained that Mushega was hot-tempered. The report also says the welfare of the secretariat staff had not been addressed. At least three personal secretaries had developed mental problems due to stress, it says.
“The staff work long hours, are generally dissatisfied and lack an in built system for airing grievances.â€
Mushega is also accused of being arrogant and absent from meetings. “The continued absence of the Secretary General and his staff from the assembly meetings can either be interpreted as disrespect or deliberate frustration of the assembly,†says the report.
The report says Mushega’s apparent desire to control and direct the functioning of the assembly is “incomprehensible.â€
Mushega dismissed the allegations and challenged The New Vision to visit Arusha and do an independent investigation. “I will give my response to the Assembly not the papers,†he said on telephone from Arusha
The Deputy Secretary General, Dr. Cheluget Kipyego, defended Mushega. “I have worked with him for a number of years and he is very friendly,†said Cheluget.
The report hinted on acrimony at the Secretariat.
Ends