Nakuru MCAs accuse governor of flouting employment rules

Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua and County Assembly Speaker Susan Kihika at a past event. The speaker has directed the labour committee to investigate claims that Mr Mbugua hired more enforcement officers than had been budgeted for. PHOTO | STEVE NJUGUNA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The House allocated Sh17.2 million for the recruitment of 100 enforcement officers to enhance revenue collection.
  • But the county government has issued appointment letters to 130 enforcement officers without following the laid-down regulations.
  • Mariashoni MCAs Agnes Jerotich Salimu called for the disbandment of the board.
  • Speaker Susan Kihika directed the Labour Committee to investigate the matter.

Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua’s administration Wednesday came under fire from the county assembly for illegally hiring 30 more enforcement officers than what was budgeted for.

Elburgon MCA Florence Wambui Njoroge, who kicked off the attack, said that in the 2016/2017 financial year, the House allocated Sh17.2 million for the recruitment of 100 enforcement officers to enhance revenue collection.

But the county government has issued appointment letters to 130 officers without following the laid-down regulations.

In a hot debate that lasted more than one hour, the angry MCAs criticised Governor Mbugua and the county public service board for undermining the powers of the assembly.

“The recruitment was done at a time when this House was on a two-month recess and it was marred with a lot of tribalism and there was no equitable distribution to all the 42 communities in the county,” said Ms Njoroge.

“The county public service board has developed a thick skin to pertinent issues affecting the House and we need to stamp our foot down and take action against the executive and the public service board,” said added.

DISBAND SERVICE BOARD

Mariashoni MCAs Agnes Jerotich Salimu called for the board to be disbanded.

“This board has given Nakuru County a bad name as it has misused its mandate,” said Ms Jerotich.

Lake View MCA Simon Wanyoike Ngige said 18 casuals in Naivasha who had been working as enforcement officers for between 12 and 15 years were not considered during the recent hiring.

Nominated MCA Hawa Ibrahim Hassan said minorities in the county had been discriminated against for a long time by Governor Mbugua’s government.

“We don’t have a senior Muslim officer in the top management of the county and this is unfair because we are members of the county and we are here to stay,” said Ms Ibrahim.

Kamara MCA Joseph Ngware Ng’ang’a accused Governor Mbugua of confusing residents whenever he is confronted with the issue of unemployment by giving them false hopes.

“Every time the governor is visiting the wards he is assuring the residents that there are more opportunities for employment and [they] should be patient,” said Mr Ng’ang’a.

Speaker Susan Kihika directed the labour committee to investigate the matter and table a report in the House next Wednesday.