The government has been accused for marginalising Nyamira county when appointing key personalities in public service jobs. Leaders yesterday blamed President Kibaki and PM Raila Odinga for the alleged anomaly.

A statement read by Nyansiongo town council chairman Zebedeo Ombwori during Jamhuri Day celebrations queried the recent appointment of the chairperson of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Mumo Matemu who scored 78.4 per cent while Eric Okongo Omogeni got 81.7 per cent. "Omogeni passed the interview with a higher margin compared to Matemu but the process was later skewed," the leaders claimed.

They urged Kibaki and Raila to revoke Matemu's appointment and replace him with Omogeni who hails from Nyamira county. "We ask our elected leaders not to participate in endorsing Matemu's name because we feel that his appointment was biased," Ombwori said. The chairman urged leaders to read and understand the constitution to enable them defend, protect and educate members of the public on their constitutional rights.

Area Knut executive secretary John Matiang'i said the two ministerial posts (Education and Public Works), none was from Nyamira adding that even permanent secretaries and commissioners to various commissions hailed from Kisii county "yet Nyamira has equally qualified and competent people".