The county bosses immediately got down to work after their swearing-in ceremonies on August 24 and some have already taken radical steps in their quest to fulfill election pledges.
While some governors have made requests to have the book of accounts audited, others have already sent staff in key departments on compulsory leave to allow investigations into suspected abuse of office.
More than 30 new or returning governors are facing various financial challenges among them high wage bills, pending bills and low revenue collection.
Political commentator Joseph Mutua said governors who are keen to show Kenyans they are working are mostly those who have been elected to the offices for the first time.
“They are just excited about being governors for the first time. They may not do much in addressing problems in the counties in the first few months in office,” he said.
“They just want to show people they are up to the task but they need a lot of support from the national government to achieve their goals.”
Mutua said the new county bosses are also likely to run into legal problems with the actions they are taking.
“Firing people on the first day and issuing far-reaching directives could attract legal suits,” he said.
Governance expert Daniel Orogo said newly elected governors are just enjoying the political aura that comes with political power.
“The recent turn of events in some counties clearly demonstrates the lack of a clear understanding of procedures and standing orders, especially with regards to the transition of power from one regime to another,” he said.
He added that failure to understand procedure would put the county chiefs at risk of protracted legal, political, social and economic battles in the near future.
He said governors must be careful not to violate provisions of the Constitution, County Government Act of 2012 and other laws.
Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka has formed committees to conduct forensic audits on the county workforce, pending bills and a scholarship scheme started by his predecessor Wycliffe Wangamati.
While assuring residents that there would be no witch hunt, Lusaka said reports showed that the county has more than Sh1 billion in pending bills.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has made changes in the executive. The changes mostly affected the finance department.
Wanga has sent eight senior human resource managers on compulsory leave.
She made the decision to pave way for an audit and investigation of human resource and payroll systems in the county.
It followed complaints by area residents purporting that the eight officials have used their positions to make irregular and biased appointments in the county.
Wanga said the move is meant to give way for the pending audit and investigations of the officers who served in former governor Cyprian Awiti's administration.
In Laikipia, sacked doctors resumed work on Thursday after governor Joshua Irungu signed a return to work formula with Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Union.
The 33 doctors were sacked three years ago by the administration of former governor Ndiritu Muriithi, who unsuccessfully sought re-election in the August 9 general election.
“We have agreed that 10 out of the 33 medical specialists sacked in 2019 will report to their respective stations from September 1,” Irungu said when he signed the deal on Wednesday.
Samburu Governor Lati Lelelit ordered a human resource audit of the county days after taking office.
Taita-Taveta governor Andrew Mwadime has called for an intensive forensic audit on the human resource department to weed out suspected ghost workers
Apart from examining the authenticity of workers in the payroll, the audit will also establish their qualifications and suitability to serve in certain critical positions.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)
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