Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich has called on the newly appointed county attorney Dorcas Cheruiyot to clear succession and land related cases piling at the Iten law courts.
The governor said the clearing of the succession cases will unlock the economic potential of the county leading to development of its urban areas.
Speaking after the swearing in of the attorney, county secretary, the municipal board and the County Public Service Board (CPSB), governor Rotich said residents cannot use their title deeds to get loans from financial institutions for development as succession is yet to be done.
He added that most people fear to go to courts for succession cases fearing the expenses which has led to the residents being conned millions by people who take advantage of their anxiety.
Rotich therefore called on the county attorney to embark on a sensitization exercise to educate the residents on what they require in handling succession cases saying many have been forced to sell their land to deal with the same.
Iten Senior principal magistrate Virginia Karanja called on the county attorney to sensitize residents on the alternative justice system to hasten the clearance of the cases saying not all cases should end in court.
The deputy governor Prof. Grace Cheserek called on the CPSB led by Dr. Sally Kimosop to undertake an audit of all staff serving in the county government with a view to reducing the wage bill which continues to rise leaving little funds for development.
The DG said there was need for the board to establish how many staff were required in the county in line with funds received by the county from the National Treasury.
She also called on the county secretary Lazarus Chebii to attend to staff matters and to trust them to deliver by granting them a conducive work environment.
The governor challenged the Iten municipal board to ensure Iten town lives to its international status.
By Alice Wanjiru
