Kapelebyong leaders move to block renewal of DSC term

A number of district councilors in Kapelebyong are protesting against the attempted renewal of the term of contract for the District Service Commission (DSC) one year before its current term is set to expire.

The councilors' opposition to the renewal stems from allegations of corruption surrounding the most recent recruitment exercise for civil servants. Herbert Otim, the chairperson of the DSC, has dismissed these allegations as baseless and has taken Robert Okitoi, one of the LC5 chairperson candidates, to court over defamation charges.

Mr Otim explained that filing the lawsuit against Okitoi was necessary to clear his name and clarify the allegations being spread against him as the DSC chairperson.

Boniface Okwiir, an LC5 councilor, spoke to this publication, accusing district LC5 chairperson Francis Akorikin of attempting to extend the DSC’s term despite ongoing corruption allegations. He pointed out that the district council had not yet been provided with a performance report, which would allow them to assess whether the current DSC deserves another term in office.

“The current DSC has only nine months left in office, and based on public outcry, we, as district councilors, have serious reservations and little faith in the current commission,” said Mr Okwiir.

He also noted that the issue of the DSC’s term renewal was introduced to the council last December, despite not being on the official agenda. This has raised concerns about how the district plans to submit the renewal request to the Ministry of Public Service.

Mr Richard Enyangu, the LC5 councilor representing Kapelebyong Sub County, expressed frustration over the recent recruitment process, which left many Kapelebyong residents disappointed. He cited volunteers who had worked for over ten years but were ultimately not considered for placement due to allegations that they had not “offered anything” to secure a job in the district government.

“I sit on the district’s business committee, where the issue of the renewal should have been discussed. Now we wonder how this renewal process is being carried out without our input,” Mr. Enyangu stated.

He also emphasized that the DSC is supposed to provide a report after every recruitment, a task that has not been completed. Mr Enyangu further pointed out that one of the volunteers, a woman who worked as a midwife at Okoboi Health Centre for eight years, was denied a job and has since left, leaving the maternity unit in the health center closed.

“There are many people who volunteered in both the health and education sectors who were not considered,” he added.

The LC5 chairperson of Kapelebyong Sub County also referred to an ongoing case in Amuria, where a matter of extortion related to job placements is under investigation. This has further strengthened the resolve of local councilors to oppose the renewal of the current DSC contract.

However, Mr Francis Akorikin, the district LC5 chairperson for Kapelebyong, defended the December council meeting, stating that it was part of the normal process that could either lead to the renewal or not. He emphasized that the Ministry of Public Service holds the authority to decide on the renewal of the DSC’s term. If they deem the DSC unworthy of renewal, the contract will not be extended.

Mr Akorikin also accused his critics of politicizing the issue without having a full understanding of the process. He suggested that their opposition was driven by personal political agendas.

“The situation in Kapelebyong is simply a political attack by a group trying to undermine my leadership,” Mr Akorikin said.

Regarding the defamation case, Mr Akorikin defended the decision to take Robert Okitoi to court, stating it was necessary to address the allegations of corruption and protect the integrity of the DSC.