The District LCV Chairperson Kween, Paul Majinjach Kapchemaiko has warned civil servants against fleeing to neighbouring Kenya ahead of Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi’s planned visit to the Sebei Sub-region under the government’s “Expose the Corrupt” campaign.
Kapchemaiko says the minister’s visit should be treated as an opportunity for government officials to account for their performance and the quality of services delivered to residents, rather than a reason for civil servants to run away from their workplaces.
Barugahara is expected to tour the Sebei Sub-region from Thursday to Saturday, starting with Bukwo District on August 27, moving to Kween District on 28th, ending the tour in Kapchorwa on August 29.
Kapchemaiko says officials with gaps in service delivery should remain available to explain their performance and should not attempt to evade the minister’s inspection.“Now, the tendencies of r unning to Kenya should stop because we shall net you,” Kapchemaiko warned.
He said every civil servant is expected to be present during the minister’s visit, particularly officials responsible for sectors where residents continue to experience poor service delivery.
The warning comes as the government intensifies the “Expose the Corrupt” campaign, under which Minister Barugahara has conducted inspections of local government institutions and directed investigations and disciplinary action against officials accused of corruption, absenteeism, financial mismanagement and poor service delivery.
At least 110 local government staff have reportedly faced disciplinary action during the ongoing crackdown, with allegations ranging from ghost beneficiaries and misuse of public funds to procurement irregularities, absenteeism and poorly implemented government projects.
In Kween, the campaign comes against a backdrop of concerns over accountability and service delivery. The district has been subjected to several audits by the Office of the Auditor General, including reports covering the 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2024/25 financial years.
The district has also recently attracted attention over the conduct of local government officials. The latest warning follows a separate confrontation over staff attendance at the district headquarters, where Kapchemaiko locked out staff over alleged late coming and deployed police officers to prevent employees from accessing the premises.
Kapchemaiko says absenteeism and poor time management undermine government programmes, particularly in a district where residents continue to complain about inadequate infrastructure and gaps in public services.
Martin Arapaturo, a resident of Moyok Parish, says the minister’s visit comes at an opportune time, particularly because of the poor state of roads in Kween. “This visit comes at the right time because almost all the roads in Kween are in a very bad state. We expect the minister to see for himself the challenges residents face and ensure that those responsible are held accountable,” Arapaturo said.
Felix Cherotwo, the LC3 Chairperson of Kaptoyoy sub-county in Kween District, says some government construction projects, particularly classrooms, are commissioned despite being below the required standards. “Some classroom construction projects are sometimes commissioned when the work is still substandard, which calls for accountability from the people involved because government funds must result in quality facilities for our communities,” Cherotwo said.
Kween Resident District Commissioner Hope Atuhaire has urged residents to speak openly about corruption and expose officials involved in misuse of public resources and abuse of office.
Atuhaire says residents should not be intimidated or fear reprisals when reporting corruption, noting that the law provides protection for people who come forward with genuine information.
“I want to encourage residents to be open and speak out and expose those involved in corruption at the district because it is your district,” Atuhaire said. “Nobody should be intimidated or fear to speak because those who provide information are protected by the law.”
She said residents should use the minister’s visit to present evidence and raise concerns about poor service delivery, corruption and other forms of abuse of office affecting their communities.
Atuhaire also called on local leaders and civil servants to cooperate with the minister’s team during the inspections and provide accurate information about government programmes and projects.
The minister’s visit is expected to include inspections of government projects and facilities, meetings with local leaders and civil servants, and engagements with residents who will have an opportunity to raise complaints concerning alleged corruption, abuse of office and poor service delivery.
Barugahara’s nationwide campaign has previously resulted in investigations and interdictions of officials following complaints raised by residents. In other districts, the minister has inspected schools, health centres, markets and infrastructure projects and ordered investigations into allegations of mismanagement and abuse of office.
The Sebei visit is therefore expected to place district officials under renewed scrutiny, with local leaders urging civil servants to account for their offices and explain any failures in service delivery-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
