Africa-Press – Kenya. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has warned new governors against mistreating staff hired by the previous regimes saying this may result in legal action against them.
In a letter to county bosses, CEO Twalib Mbarak said the commission is concerned about an emerging trend of actual or threatened violation of the law by various county governments in the management of county staff.
“This is more prevalent in counties where new administrations were ushered in after the August 2022 general election,” Mbarak said.
The letter was copied to county secretaries and chairpersons of Public Service Boards who were also cautioned against violating the law in the management of pending bills and recruitment of new staff.
“The commission notes that some incoming governors and their administrations are handling existing staff, new recruitment and pending bills in disregard of the applicable laws, policies and procedures,” Mbarak said.
He said some new governors have expressed unwillingness to work with certain members of staff who had been hired by the previous regimes.
“In some instances, such staff are being threatened with sacking, dismissals, or subjected to unwarranted, illegal or unprocedural disciplinary procedures aimed at forcing their exit from office,” Mbarak said.
He warned that such actions may subject culpable county bosses to legal liability and occasion other adverse consequences including but not limited to loss of county funds.
Mbarak advised the new governors who have taken such action against old county staff to follow the law where disciplinary action is deemed necessary.
“The commission advises that where any disciplinary action is envisaged against existing county staff, the same must be carried out strictly in compliance with and adherence to the existing policies, procedures and the law,” Mbarak said.
He said any such disciplinary action must be carried out in consultation with relevant agencies including the Public Service Board which is mandated to recruit, deploy and discipline county government staff.
The CEO said a report should made to the Commission or other law enforcement agency in case criminality such as corruption or misappropriation of funds is alleged or relied upon to discipline a member of county staff.
For More News And Analysis About Kenya Follow Africa-Press
