Board’s delay in staff employment concerns Ojaamong

Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong during the issuance of cheques to needy but bright students at the Agricultural Training Centre on January 18, 2019. [Ignatius Odanga/Standard]

The executive arm of the county government and the county public service board are embroiled in a dispute over employment of staff.

The Standard has established that there are also sharp divisions in the board, which is mandated to employ workers, thus leading to hiring delays.

According to sources, members of the recruiting body have failed to agree, particularly on the employment of Governor Sospeter Ojaamong’s personal staff.

“The board is divided and some of its members are getting orders from certain quotas,” said the source, adding that Mr Ojaamong did not have a protocol officer and a press team.

The county boss confirmed that all was not well, but said he remained optimistic that a solution to the stalemate would be found soon.

“It is the responsibility of the service board to promptly employ the staff I need in my office, but I do not know what is happening with them. I do not have people to plan my diary.

“I should discharge my mandate to the people without being sabotaged by any quarters. Therefore, the public service board should move with speed and do what is required of it.”

Enforcement officers

The governor said enforcement officers were supposed to have been employed more than three years ago, but that had not happened.

“More than five years down the line, ECDE teachers have not been employed. This is not how we are supposed to work,” he said.

On Sunday, Ojaamong arrived alone at St Stephen’s ACK in Busia. This caught the attention of the church vicar, Steven Manya, who said the governor should not be walking alone.

“It is good that the archdeacon has noted that I am walking alone. It is not my fault but the problem is with some people who should employ staff for me,” the governor said.

The board was scheduled to respond to the accusations levelled against it on Monday but the press conference was postponed.

Last year, ward representatives demanded that the public service board be investigated over corruption allegations.

Bukhayo North/Walatsi MCA Gardy Jakaa told the county assembly that the board’s image was tainted after the public levelled graft accusations against its members.

“Many complaints have come to our attention about the county public service board and we cannot sit back when there is rot in it,” said Mr Jakaa.