Homa Bay CPSB divided over county jobs advert

@robertomollo3

Some members of the Homa Bay County Public Service Board have rejected a January 11 advertisement for over 200 posts as fraudulent and urged the public to ignore it. 

The advert published in a national daily asked applicants to apply for the posts of the county attorney, two ward administrators, a director of inspectorate services and 200 enforcement constables. Eligible applicants were urged to send their letters to the board before Friday, January 22.

However, board chairman Daniel Ogada and secretary Collins Odhiambo said they were not consulted before the advertisement for the vacancies was made.

In a letter to Governor Cyprian Awiti copied to the executive committee, the assembly and county secretary Isaiah Ogwe, the board chiefs say no meeting was held to approve the advertisements.

“The board has not delegated its powers of recruitment to any public or state officer. In the circumstances, the board strongly advises that the advertisement for the stated positions has no basis in law and should be ignored and revoked,” reads part of the letter.

There have been wrangles within the board pitting Ogada and board member Elijah Kodo and their teams.

In Ogada's camp are Odhiambo and Tobias Odundo. The three were reinstated by the Employment and Labour Relations court in Kisumu after they were removed from office.

Kodo’s faction includes Lawrence K’Oteng and Sarah Nekesa.

Their wrangles led to the summoning of Governor Awiti by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission over the hiring if medics. 

Awiti recorded a statement over the recruitment of more than 100 workers under the Universal Healthcare plan. Claims of irregularities in the appointment of workers were rife.

On Thursday, Ogada maintained that the secretary of the board is the one authorised to place job advertisements upon approval in a full board meeting.

“The purported advert by a director of recruitment and selection of the board is fraudulent and unlawful. The board will not be responsible for any irregularities,” Ogada said.

The county payroll manager has also been advised to consider the recommendations.

(edited by o. owino)