_{BY ALEX WEKESA} _ TMG

The Bungoma County Assembly Committees on Public Administration and ICT, along with Labour Relations, Member Services, and Facilities, have raised serious concerns regarding alleged irregularities in the recruitment, promotion, and deployment of senior officers within the county government. During a joint committee meeting, Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) emphasized the necessity for accountability and transparency in staffing processes, insisting that all appointments and deployments adhere strictly to legal and established human resource protocols.

The session, co-chaired by Hon. Tonny Barasa and Hon. Martin Cheseto, delved into a thorough examination of the status of directors and deputy directors serving in various county departments. Bokoli Ward MCA Hon. Jack Kawa, who initiated the discussion, expressed doubts about the legitimacy of several senior officers, alleging that some were operating as directors and deputy directors without proper authorization. “We need clarity on who was lawfully appointed, when they assumed office, and under what authority they are serving,” Hon. Kawa asserted.

Committee members highlighted significant concerns about the perceived lack of transparency in staffing decisions, especially regarding the unclear distinction between substantive and non-substantive directors within the county administration. In response to these concerns, County Secretary William Nasong’o and Chief Officer for Public Administration Everlyne Wekesa affirmed that Bungoma County has 17 substantively appointed directors. They refuted claims that any officers were serving in acting capacities, clarifying that performing the duties of a director does not equate to formal appointment. “For someone to be considered as acting in a position, there must be a formal letter assigning that responsibility. None of the officers alleged to be acting possess such documentation,” Mr. Nasong’o explained to the committees.

Additionally, Bungoma County Public Service Board Chairperson Fredric Wanyonyi informed the assembly that the current Board had only recently been constituted and had yet to receive a comprehensive handover from its predecessor. This limitation hampers its ability to fully address some of the concerns raised. He also disclosed that the county lacks essential human resource management tools, such as operational manuals and a staff establishment framework, which are crucial for guiding staffing decisions and managing personnel. Mr. Wanyonyi stressed that any conversion of officers from contract to permanent and pensionable terms must occur through a competitive recruitment process. “No officer should remain on contract for more than five years without renewal, and any renewal undertaken without a formal application to the Board is null and void,” he stated.

In light of these discussions, the committees mandated the County Executive and the Public Service Board to present all relevant documentation, including appointment letters, deployment records, and promotion documents, to verify the status of officers in senior positions. Concerns regarding labor practices and human resource management were prominent during the deliberations, with MCAs warning that leadership gaps in critical departments such as Finance and Agriculture could adversely impact service delivery to residents. The County Assembly subsequently directed the County Public Service Board and the County Executive to ensure full compliance with legal requirements in all staffing matters, underscoring the critical need for transparency, accountability, and professionalism.