Let counties take over staff payrolls starting this month, say governors

By Faith Ronoh

Eldoret, Kenya: The Council of Governors now wants the Government to allow counties to take charge of their staff payrolls as early as this month.

In a meeting held to debate on county staff rationalising, Council of Governors Chair Isaac Ruto said: “We do not want anyone to prescribe solutions to governors on staff rationalisation because each situation is unique. Counties want to take charge of the staff payrolls as early as this month in a seamless manner.”

Mr Ruto said there was need to be open-minded and embrace innovations in human resource management.

He regretted that some officers seconded by the national government to counties were unwilling to co-operate with governors and chief officers in the regional governments.

“The governors will not hesitate to release any staff from the national government who is not willing to work with the county governments,” Ruto said. “Staff uptake would be on a willing basis and we are already releasing those who do not want to work with us. We cannot force people to work under our systems.”

Ruto, who is the Bomet governor, dismissed plans to retrench 100,000 workers, saying it was not politically tenable for the Government as it would have serious ramifications on the Jubilee coalition.

No positions

Kisii Governor James Ongwae, who also attended the closed door meeting held recently at the Treasury, said staff rationalisation or restructuring would be done by counties depending on their needs as the issues affecting the regional governments were not the same.

Public Service Commission Chairperson Margaret Kobia said: “What should be made clear to the staff in the national government’s payroll but seconded to the counties is that they should apply for jobs in the regional governments as we do not have positions for them once they are released.”