17 Homa Bay County staff suspended for campaigning

Homa Bay Governor Cyprian Awiti. The county has suspended 17 workers for engaging in politics during the recent elections. PHOTO | BARACK ODUOR | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Homa Bay County government has suspended its 17 workers for engaging in politics during the recent elections.

The suspended workers include directors of departments and sub-county administrators.

The officials on Tuesday received suspension letters and were accused of “giving wrong and false information to the public” and other public officers on various issues concerning the county government and its management.

The letters further stated that the dismissed officers had been actively participating in political activities, furthering the interest of some political candidates and indicating support for some candidates in the elections.

DISRESPECT

The County Director of Human Resource Management, Mr Modi Auma, said the officers compromised their political neutrality as public officers and that of their office.

“Evidence in our possession indicates that the officers have openly showed disrespect, behaved in a manner insulting to their employer and those placed in authority over them,” said Mr Auma.

Mr Peter Ogolla, the suspended director of Early Childhood Director of Education said they are unfairly being targeted and accused of supporting former Kasipul MP Oyugi Magwanga, who unsuccessfully sought to unseat Governor Cyprian Awiti.

“There is belief amongst our bosses that we supported Mr Magwanga’s candidature and voted for him. That is the reason why we have received the suspension letters,” said Mr Ogolla.

He said they have all been ordered to hand over and leave the offices without explanations except for the letters suspending them.

“We were shocked when we received the letters advising us to stop working because we have been participating in politics,” he said.

The suspended officers have threatened to seek legal redress if the county government stops their salary and fails to reinstate them.

The officials have until August 30 to respond to the accusations or be fired. But they must in the meantime vacate office and await their disciplinary findings.