Nandi County Assembly asks CPSB to lift the sacking of 381 subordinate health workers amid a pending court case.
Nandi County Assembly has asked the County Public Service Board to lift the sacking of 381 subordinate health workers amid a pending court case.
The employees were sacked barely a year after they were placed on employment.
The decision to dismiss the workers has been met with criticism with the assembly being the latest entity to condemn the move by the board saying it was done out of contempt.
The county assembly through the General Supervision Committee chaired by Speaker Joshua Kiptoo on Monday summoned various county officials alleged to have had a hand in the sacking where they were taken to task.
The officials included County Secretary Dr Francis Sang, Acting secretary /CEO of the board Mr. Jacob Sisey. Public Service Board chairperson Daniel Sisei, Health County Executive Committee Member Ruth Koech and County Attorney George Tarus.
Ms Koech distanced herself from the decision to layoff the workers saying her office was not involved.
“I do not hire or dismiss employees. My mandate is to coordinate activities to do with health,” said Ms Koech.
However, Mr Sisei said the decision not dismiss the employees was necessitated by claims of irregularities during their recruitment.
“The decision was done in accordance with the recruitment procedures where the board can cancel the process and institute a fresh process of recruitment,” argued Mr Sisei who also revealed to have been directed by County Secretary Mr Sang.
Sang and Sisei further argued that the county finance department had faulted the recruitment over budgetary concerns prompting them to take the decision.
The summoning of the employees came after a debate at the assembly where Nandi Hills MCA Gideon Koech tabled the motion.
” Sacking of the workers was a blatant disregard of the law and the nullification letter should be revoked. The matter should proceed to court and as the county assembly we cannot discuss about it until the final verdict is made.” Said Koech.
Kapsabet MCA Fred Kipkemboi had accused the county government of victimising innocent workers seeking to eke a living.
” How come other employees are being paid Covid money yet the cleaners who touch dirt and make sure the hospital is clean are not paid? That is being inhuman. ” said Kipkemboi
Kilibwoni MCA Cynthia Muge questioned the board for taking nearly a year before making the decision saying it was an injustice to the workers who have diligently provided services.
” We are the voice of the people, we will represent the people of Nandi and we will fight for there rights and if anyone has plans to delay this case in court you better be prepared because we will fight to the nail for justice.” Said Muge.
