Hon Jack Kawa,MCA Bokoli ward….Photo/CG
By James Wekesi
Bungoma,Kenya
Two Bungoma County Assembly committees held a joint session to question the county executive regarding alleged irregularities in the recruitment, promotion and deployment of senior public service officers.
While officials denied that staff are acting in positions without authorization, testimony revealed the county lacks critical human resource frameworks and a formal staff establishment, limiting the newly constituted Public Service Board’s oversight capabilities.
The session, led by joint committee Chairmen Tonny Barasa and Martin Cheseto, featured intense deliberations as Members of the County Assembly demanded accountability and strict adherence to legal frameworks.
The Public Administration and ICT Committee joined the Labour Relations, Member Services and Facilities Committee to press executive officials over the transparency of senior personnel management.
Jack Kawa, the member of the county assembly for Bokoli Ward, initiated the inquiry and expressed dissatisfaction with the executive’s responses.
Kawa alleged that several officers are “masquerading” as directors and deputies without proper authorization, which he said compromises the legitimacy of senior appointments.
Executive officials pushed back against allegations of unauthorized acting appointments.
County Secretary William Nasong’o and Public Administration Chief Officer Everlyne Wekesa testified that the county executive has 17 directors holding substantive appointments.
“For one to be considered as acting in a role, there must be a formal letter assigning that responsibility,” Nasong’o said. “None of those alleged to be acting have such documentation.”
Nasong’o clarified that performing the daily duties of a director does not automatically constitute a formal acting appointment.
The inquiry also revealed institutional gaps within the county’s personnel management.
Fredric Wanyonyi, chairman of the newly constituted Bungoma County Public Service Board, testified that his board has not yet received a comprehensive handover, limiting its ability to address some inquiries.
Wanyonyi revealed that Bungoma County currently operates without critical human resource tools, including operational manuals and a formal staff establishment framework.
He stated the board is developing these guidelines and clarified rules regarding contract terms.
According to Wanyonyi, converting county officers from contract to permanent terms requires a competitive process.
He added that no officer may serve on a contract for more than five years without renewal, and any renewal executed without a formal application to the board is null and void.
Assembly members demanded the immediate tabling of appointment letters and deployment records to verify the legal status of senior officials.
Kawa reiterated demands for evidence showing exactly when the contested officers assumed office.
Committee members emphasized that poor human resource practices directly hinder service delivery.
Lawmakers raised specific concerns regarding leadership gaps in critical departments, including finance and agriculture.
The joint committees urged both the County Public Service Board and the executive to strictly follow procedural law in all future staffing decisions.
Ends.
