Former investigative journalist Dennis Onsarigo has resigned from the chief of staff position in Nyamira County citing frustrations and challenges that have hindered effective service delivery.
In a resignation letter dated January 10, 2024, Onsarigo expressed his disappointment at the obstacles preventing the realization of the county’s vision under Governor Amos Nyaribo’s leadership.
Onsarigo lamented about his unsuccessful attempts to engage with Governor Nyaribo, stating that he had sought an audience more than six times to discuss elaborate plans on how the Chief of Staff’s office could function in executing the county’s manifesto. According to Onsarigo, these attempts did not materialize, leading to his resignation.
He further highlighted instances of discomfort, including an embarrassing incident where the governor had to stop at a petrol station, waiting for his official vehicle to be fueled. The accounting officer responsible for the fueling could not be reached on the phone, causing an inconvenience. Onsarigo also mentioned that the governor’s security team, including drivers, sometimes went for months without receiving their allowances, despite the funds being released by the controller of the budget.
The former journalist revealed that plans to prioritize the governor’s personal comfort and security were thwarted, with interventions such as providing an alternative vehicle, an extra bodyguard, fuel cards, and resources for structured servicing and fueling failing due to what seemed like an internally engineered strategy.
Onsarigo disclosed that efforts to refurbish the governor’s office and build modern washrooms for visitors were deliberately put on hold. He expressed regret at not being able to contribute significantly to various areas aimed at improving service delivery and preparing for the upcoming 2027 elections.
In his resignation letter, Onsarigo emphasized that despite the dedication and hard work of the team, the obstacles faced were beyond his immediate control. He stated that his continued presence in the role was not conducive to the progress desired, expressing fears that he would be viewed as incompetent due to a regime unwilling to accommodate new and bold ideas.
Onsarigo’s resignation comes after serving as Raila Odinga’s Press Secretary for his campaign secretariat in February 2022 before moving on to Nyamira County. He had also previously worked as the Director of Communications in Taita Taveta County since 2018 and had a background as an investigative journalist with The Standard Group and Nation Media Group.
