A public debate has emerged following the recognition of Mombasa County Chief Officer for Public Service Administration and Devolution, Pauline Odhiambo Oginga, as one of the best-performing officers in county leadership, with Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) national chairman Abi Mwachi challenging the credibility of the accolade.
Oginga, who is a stepsister to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, received the recognition at a regional leadership awards event that highlighted performance in devolved government structures.
Organisers of the forum said the award was based on performance, service delivery, and leadership impact within county systems.
But the recognition has now been thrown into controversy after Mwachi issued a strongly worded statement questioning both her conduct in office and the basis of the award.
“Such manifest nonsense @K24Tv,” Mwachi said, dismissing media coverage of the award and questioning the narrative being promoted around her performance.
He proceeded to level a series of allegations, claiming that concerns had previously been raised about her leadership style within the county administration.
Mwachi alleged that her office environment had been the subject of internal complaints, including claims of mistreatment of staff.
“This same one who locked out her staff from using a toilet—the only toilet they could access,” he said. “Choo ni ya mdosi.”
Mwachi further claimed that he had previously raised concerns directly with county leadership over her suitability for sensitive public service roles, arguing that there were unresolved questions around her conduct in office.
“This is the same one I protested to the Governor to not let her anywhere near the Health department,” he said, adding that he believed her record had already attracted internal complaints within the county system.
He also alleged that issues touching on discrimination had been reported against her, although he did not provide documentary evidence to support the claims.
Mwachi further questioned her work ethic and office presence, alleging that she rarely reports to her official workstation.
“This same one does not show up to the office,” he said. “She prefers signing documents brought to her in savvy hotels.”
He also accused her of attending conferences unrelated to her docket while still drawing allowances, raising concerns over what he termed misuse of public resources.
“This same one attending conferences unrelated to her docket and claiming per diems,” he said.
Mwachi concluded his remarks by calling for accountability in how public officials are profiled and recognised, warning against what he described as reliance on political or family identity in public evaluation.
“Let us get serious,” he said. “Let us also drop the name-dropping. She should be identified as herself or at least by her husband if any.”
Oginga, in earlier remarks following her recognition, credited her success to teamwork within the county government, saying the award reflected collective effort in improving service delivery in public administration and devolution.