The county assembly of Laikipia has asked Governor Ndiritu Muriithi to reconsider his decision of sacking 172 employees.
On Wednesday, the assembly discussed the fate of the employees who were served with sacking letters on Thursday last week.
“I was rendered redundant when I was aged only 33 years and the effects that followed were too much for me to bear,” said nominated MCA Judy Lukio.
At a press conference in Nanyuki last week, Muriithi said sacking of the 172 staff would save the county Sh1.14 billion in wages and salaries over the medium term.
“Many roles simply do not exist in the organisation as we adopt technology and respond to changing needs of our customers,” the governor said.
He said his administration no longer needed dozens of messengers since files are nowadays moved electronically.
Muriithi said all staff must have computer skills.
“We no longer have typing pools and mobile phones have greatly reduced the reliance on land lines and therefore switchboards,” the governor said.
Muriithi noted that every major policy initiative in the country today recognised the need to reduce wage bills to increase development resources.
“It is demanded by the Constitution of Kenya as well as by the PFM Act,” the governor said. The affected staff members will be given professional counseling on how to invest.
