Governor Njuki suspends 1,061 workers

New Tharaka Nithi governor suspends 1061 workers

What you need to know:

  • Mr Njuki said the 660 illegally employed casuals were being paid yet most of them do not report to any department.
  • He said he is deliberating with the Kenya National Union of Nurses to ensure their members resume work.

Tharaka-Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki has suspended 1,061workers in efforts to reduce the wage bill that stands at Sh200 million per year, which is 65 per cent of the county's budget.

Some of those affected are 660 casuals attached to various departments, 289 on open contract and 112 nurses on permanent employment.

WAGE BILL

Addressing journalists at his office in Kathwana on Monday, Mr Njuki said the county has a total of 6,000 workers making the wage bill a burden.

"This is a very small county to have such a big number of employees," Mr Njuki said.

He said his target is to reduce the wage bill to about Sh100 million.

He said the 660 illegally employed casuals were being paid yet most of them do not report to any station.

PROCUREMENT
He noted that most of the 112 nurses were employed to replace the 600 on strike, but due process was not followed.

"A big number of the nurses are quacks and are relatives and friends of the county's senior workers," the governor said.

The 289 casuals on open contract, he said, have been working since the inception of devolution because most of them are unqualified.

AUDIT
He added that there are some ghost workers who are on permanent employment, most of them being relatives of senior county workers and those who supported the former administration.

Mr Njuki said the exercise will continue for the whole week until the payroll is 'clean'.

He added that he would also have county departments audited.

COURT ACTION

Additionally, the governor said most of the vehicles are grounded for lack of mechanical services, among other problems.

"Most of the vehicles have been towed to this place from peoples' homes because they broke down long time ago," he said.

He noted that the drivers are in surplus, with most being idle.

Furthermore, he said he is prepared for any action, including being sued.

NURSES' STRIKE

Mr Njuki said to avoid total paralyses of health services, he is in discussion with the Kenya National Union of Nurses county leaders to ensure the members resume duty soon.

The county branch secretary Kenneth Micheni told the Nation that they are likely to resume duty if the governor promises to solve their issues, which includes payment of delayed salary and remittance of unpaid statutory deductions.

"We are ready to end the strike but we have to discuss with our national union leaders," Mr Micheni said.