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Transition Authority Chairman Kinuthia WaMwangi. Photo/ FILE

Kenya

Governors abusing powers – Transition Authority

Transition Authority Chairman Kinuthia WaMwangi. Photo/ FILE

Transition Authority Chairman Kinuthia WaMwangi. Photo/ FILE

NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 16 – The Transition Authority on Monday accused governors of abusing their powers in the appointment and dismissal of county workers, before the function is fully transferred to them.

Chairman of the authority Kinuthia WaMwangi said some governors have taken it upon themselves to appoint workers to the counties without consulting the authority, leading to overstaffing.

He said the governors have no mandate to interfere in the recruitment of a workforce until the counties have fully implemented the devolution process.

“Some governors use very profane language in addressing matters and in a show of power they hire and dismiss workers as they please. This compelled us to issue a Human Resource advisory as an authority explaining the rational way of doing things,” said WaMwangi.

WaMwangi said there was an ongoing staff rationalization at the county level which will not involve the dismissal of workers but instead some workers will be moved to counties that are under staffed.

He added that both the national and the county governments have to work together and streamline the process of devolution if it is to succeed.
Speaking during the authority’s meeting with the Senate Committee on Devolution, he explained that the major challenge in the process is the transfer of assets to the counties.

“Asset transfer is a major stride in the implementation of the devolution process. Resources follow functions and so far we have transferred functions to them to effectively perform resources,” he explained.

The committee chair Kipchumba Murkomen however asked the authority to not only pin point the shortcomings by the county legislators and they should instead guide the parties involved on devolution.

He also noted that the authority has been slow in the audit of staff and rationalisation.

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On Monday morning, Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero appeared before the committee where he explained that he planned to lay off 5,048 workers out of the 11,048 workforce at a cost of Sh6 billion.

Kidero said that this will reduce a bloated workforce and streamline operations in City Hall.

The senators however cautioned Kidero against the move saying that he had no authority to do so as they have been seconded to the County by the National Government.

Thursday last week Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua suspended six of his county level officers to pave way for investigations into their alleged corruption and inefficiency.

In his statement posted on the county website Mutua said, “I have been shocked to learn that some Officers have been continuing to engage in massive fraud and sabotage of our Programs because they wish to maintain the status quo of corruption and inefficiency while our children continue suffering and dying. This I will not allow.”

“Therefore, today I have suspended the following Officers with immediate effect to pave way for our investigations and to allow the County Public Service to recruit people who wish to join us in the great journey to quickly make Machakos the place to be. They are to vacate their offices immediately. I have also undertaken reshuffles of some senior Officers so as to improve efficiency and to strengthen our departments and revenue collection,” he added.

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