Isiolo county government has urged residents and staff to remain calm in the wake of a payroll leak.
The development has triggered panic among the general public and county employees.
The names and gross monthly salaries of every county government employee are included in the leaked document.
Deputy Governor Edward Lowasa read a statement reassuring staff members that the government continues to place a high premium on protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and privacy of their personal information.
He said inquiries into the data’s origin are still being conducted in order to take appropriate legal action against those found to be at fault.
“Investigations into the flagrant violation of privacy and personal data protection have accelerated. Because it is obvious that this violates the 2019 Data Protection Act,” Lowasa said.
“I would like to encourage the public and employees to maintain composure throughout the process.”
A special audit of the county government payroll is still being conducted to eliminate any ghost workers and confirm the academic qualifications of county employees.
Noting that the document in question is not official and that it has not yet been determined whether the information it contains is true or not, county secretary Dadhe Boru urged the public to exercise caution when consuming information.
He told the staff the ongoing investigations will help identify the source of the leaked document and that those found responsible for the privacy breach will face legal consequences.
He said a leak of such sensitive personal data could create family feuds.
He urged political leaders to watch the statements they make in public, saying inciting remarks against the government will not help improve the quality of life of residents.
“The so-called payroll scandal has backfired spectacularly, despite being designed to undermine public confidence in the county government,” he said.
“Instead of making political statements that do not provide any answers, leaders should consult on
how to best resolve any outstanding
issues for the benefit of the people
they serve.”