Upto 80 parastatal chiefs with jobs in public service to go,

Parastatal chiefs who are still holding on to their jobs in the public service will be replaced because they are earning double salaries.

In a circular dated February 3, Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua directed Cabinet secretaries not to appoint any public servant to boards of parastatals.

The Constitution provides that a full-time State officer shall not participate in any other gainful employment.

“In view of the foregoing and in order to comply with the law, it has been decided that there shall be no more appointment of State officers and public officers to boards of State corporations in their individual capacities except where the legal instruments establishing a state corporation provides otherwise,” reads Mr Kinyua’s circular.

“This policy position takes immediate effect. Consequently, the appointment of all State officers and public officers as board chairpersons or  members in their individual capacities is nullified,” he added.

UPTO 80 OFFICERS AFFECTED

Sources within the State Corporations Advisory Committee who requested anonymity to protect their jobs said the directive is likely to affect up to 80 senior public servants who have been sitting on the boards of parastatals due to their connections with senior government officials.

“We conducted a survey last month and established that at least 80 senior civil servants have found their way to boards of various parastatals and they are therefore enjoying double salaries and allowances illegally,” a member told Nation.

Those likely to be affected include the vice chairperson of the National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) Ms Gladys Nasieku and another board member, Mathias Wanyela who are employed at Kajiado and Bungoma County governments respectively.

Last November, Nacada chairman John Mututho wrote to Mr Kinyua asking him to replace Ms Nasieku and Mr Wanyela as they were employed elsewhere.

“This is to bring to your attention that Ms Gladys Nasieku who is an employee of Kajiado County as the legal adviser to the governor and Mr Mathias Wanyela who works as the director, human resource management in Bungoma County are still sitting on Nacada Board in contravention of the said circular,” wrote Mr Mututho.