Governor Ali Korane under fire for 'flouting' hiring rules

Garissa Governor Ali Korane. He has been criticised for recruiting staff without following the due process. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • It is alleged that at least more than 100 senior and junior posts in the county have been filled without being advertised.
  • County Public Service Board, the recruiting agency for the county government, is supposed to advertise, shortlist, interview and recruit county employees.  
  • In other counties in the region, governors have been accused of dishing out jobs to cronies and political loyalists. 

Garissa Governor Ali Korane has been criticised for recruiting staff without following the due process.

It is alleged that at least more than 100 senior and junior posts in the county have been filled without being advertised. The staff, it is alleged, were neither shortlisted nor interviewed in a competitive process as stipulated in the Constitution.

County Public Service Board, the recruiting agency for the county government, is supposed to advertise, shortlist, interview and recruit county employees.  

Although county executive committee members and county secretary were vetted and approved by the county assembly, directors, assistant directors and other junior staff are said to have been appointed without following the laid down procedures. 

OATH

When he took oath of office, Garissa Governor Ali Korane sacked more than 2,000 casual workers and other employees who were hired by former Governor Nathif Jama's administration on the claims of high wage bill.

Positions already filled are those of the directorate of urban planning, press unit, vocational training, and health among others.

In other counties in the north eastern region, governors have been accused of dishing out jobs to cronies and political loyalists. 

There have been intense lobbying by clan elders in Garissa to have their candidates employed.

Garissa-based activist Mr Khalif Abdi claimed that Governor Korane would soon have a bloated bloated wage bill with little development.

INVESTIGATION

"We are concerned about the rate at which people are being employed in the county without following laid down procedures," said Mr Abdi.

He called on Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate the matter.

"Counties should not be run like private enterprises, EACC should investigate these recruitments,” said Mr Abdi in Garissa on Sunday. 

SENIOR POSITIONS

He claimed some officials, who had only Form Four certificates, hold senior positions in Garissa County government.

However, when contacted, Garissa County Deputy Secretary Roble Haji dismissed the claims of irregular recruitment of staff.  

When asked whether all recruitments had been subjected to the county Public Service Board (CPSB) as required by law, Mr Hadji said: "Tell whoever sent you to come with evidence."

The Nation could not reach CPSB boss Ms Ebla Sahal for comment as her phone was switched off.