Delayed Exchequer release from the National Treasury is affecting staff motivation in the counties, Siaya governor, James Orengo has said.
Governor Orengo laments that the delays which in most cases are three months late make devolved units fail to pay the workers’ salaries and emoluments on time.
Orengo, who was flanked by County Secretary, Joseph Ogutu and former government spokesman, Colonel (Rtd) Cyrus Oguna, at the same time announced that Kenya soccer giants, Gor Mahia football club will play top Tanzania club, Yanga FC during the opening of the new Siaya Stadium early next year.
He was speaking at the county headquarters in Siaya town while receiving trophies won by several Siaya county teams in various competitions in and outside the country.
The governor, who hailed the county’s sportsmen and women, said his administration was dealing with the issue of accumulated allowances owed to the workers.
“No body works for nothing,” he said adding that it was not right for one to represent the county with empty pockets only to come back and wait for months for the same to be paid.
He said the Council of Governors has raised the matter with the national government, adding that the delays were also affecting the salary by products, with statutory deductions not being remitted on time. Orengo said his administration was in touch with the County Public Service Board to address the issue of delayed promotions, adding that the matter had not been dealt with adequately in the past.
“People enter and leave service in the same job groups. This lowers motivation and inspiration,” he said.
He pointed out that the county has lined up a series of sports and cultural events from December to the beginning of the new year and called on teams to prepare adequately.
By Philip Onyango