• Nandi Governor Stephen Sang who was elected for a second term is also facing a wage bill crisis with more than 53 per cent of county funds going to salaries.
• “We have been forced to give finer details concerning our jobs and be at our offices always because of the ongoing head count,” a Uasin Gishu employee said.
Image: MATHEWS NDANYI
Governors in the North Rift have ordered for head counts and staff audits to address bloated payrolls and ghost workers.
Most counties in the region are spending more than 40 per cent of their resources on salaries, which is higher than the recommended 35 per cent.
In Uasin Gishu, all employees have been ordered to fill up forms giving all their details.
Officials have also been carrying out impromptu visits to various offices to assess staffing issues.
“We have been forced to give finer details concerning our jobs and be at our offices always because of the ongoing head count,” an employee at the Uasin Gishu county headquarters said.
Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii has been facing a crisis after youth stormed the county offices and facilities demanding jobs from the new administration.
Some of the youth have been frequenting the offices since Bii was sworn in.
Bii took over from Jackson Mandago who is now the Senator of the county.
Soon after taking office, Bii made his first appointment naming Nicholas Chepkwony as his chief of staff.
Chepkwony has been dealing with the crisis asking the job seekers to keep off and wait for communication on any jobs that would be available.
Bii and his deputy John Barorot have however assured the more than 4,000 Uasin Gishu county employees that their jobs are safe.
Bii said none of the employees would be frustrated under his administration. He further said he is committed to improving the workers welfare.
He however said the employees will be subjected to performance appraisals to ensure service delivery.
The governor said the political period is over and it is time to work to develop the county.
“Our main interest is to serve residents and that should be our focus and nothing else. We have to deliver on our manifesto,” he said.
“We urge that if you are employed don’t use your job for rent seeking, while not doing what you are employed to do.”
Barorot said performance appraisal is not a choice but a must for the county workers.
“As an employee you have been given an opportunity to serve and you should not use the job for selfish gains, leaving residents without necessary services,” he said.
Bii has pledged to make staff changes that will ensure he delivers on his mandate.
He is also work on transforming the economy of the county, to create jobs for youth and better earnings for all residents, including farmers.
Nandi Governor Stephen Sang who was elected for a second term is also facing a wage bill crisis with more than 53 per cent of county funds going to salaries.
He is expected to announce changes to cut down the wage bill.
Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich and his Trans Nzoia counterpart George Natembeya are also working on the formation of new governments, with a focus on reducing their recurrent expenditures.
“We will streamline staffing issues so that we have effective teams to help deliver on our mandate,” Rotich said.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)