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The Executive Director of Missenyi District Council, Advocate John Paul Wanga, has banned sub-village and village chairpersons from using official seals on documents.
This decision is meant to clearly separate the duties of village leaders from those of the local government.
Advocate Wanga says the ban is intended to stop the misuse of power. In the past, some leaders used their authority to commit fraud, including the illegal sale of village land.
Now, only Village Executive Officers (VEOs) are allowed to use the official seal. The council believes this change will reduce the risk of corruption and protect the reputation of village leadership.
Some chairpersons, like Julian Kagoro from Kakunyu village and Asia Makwabe from Kajunguti sub-village, support the move.
They believe it will help prevent land disputes and make local leadership more responsible.
However, not everyone agrees with the new rule. Some people are worried that it will make things harder for the community.
They say village chairpersons are easier to reach and can respond quickly in emergencies. But VEOs are usually based at village offices, which may be far away and not open every day.
As this new policy begins, both leaders and community members will need to work together. Open communication will be important to make sure the changes meet the needs of the people and improve local governance.