Africa-Press – Kenya. The Murang’a County Government has announced a temporary freeze on new hiring to comply with a High Court ruling that requires counties to cap personnel emoluments at 35 per cent of their total budgets.
In a statement referencing a High Court petition by Eliud Matindi against the State Law Office and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, the county said the decision aims to ensure fiscal discipline while protecting existing jobs.
“To maintain fiscal discipline, the County will implement a freeze on new hiring,” the statement said.
The county acknowledged the High Court judgment, which directed all county governments to align their wage bills with the statutory 35 per cent ceiling within a three-year compliance period.
Addressing concerns from media reports suggesting possible job losses, Murang’a assured current employees that their positions remain secure.
“Murang’a County Government assures all current county employees that their jobs are protected,” the notice stated.
However, to maintain fiscal discipline and gradually meet the court’s directive, the county confirmed it will implement a freeze on new hiring. The pause is intended to control growth in the wage bill while alternative revenue-enhancing measures are rolled out.
Officials said compliance will not involve increased taxation. Instead, the county plans to intensify automation of revenue systems, enhance efficiency in revenue collection, and seal leakages to strengthen compliance. These reforms aim to boost internally generated revenue without imposing new levies on residents.
Beyond the hiring freeze, the county also announced a rationalisation of advertised positions.
“Currently advertised positions and ongoing interviews will be scaled down and limited strictly to staffing already completed public facilities that remain non-operational due to lack of personnel,” the statement said.
Facilities prioritised for staffing include Mabae Dispensary in Gatanga, Kandara Hospital (New Ward), Kigumo Karinga Dispensary, Kangangu Dispensary in Kenol, Maragwa, Gitui Dispensary in Kiharu, Ngoeini Dispensary in Kangema, and Nyakianga Hospital in Mathioya.
The county said failure to operationalise these facilities would amount to inefficient use of public funds, noting that they were constructed using taxpayer resources and must be activated to serve residents.
Murang’a reiterated its commitment to fiscal responsibility, protection of jobs, efficient service delivery, and full compliance with the law. The county described the transition as a prudent and responsible adjustment designed to safeguard public finances while maintaining essential services.
In his ruling on January 30, 2026, Judge Lawrence Mugambi said the national and county governments breached the Constitution by implementing salary increases without maintaining the legally required 35 per cent wage-bill-to-revenue ratio.
