Kwale County Public Service Board has been summoned for grilling next week by the County Assembly for shortlisting two of its commissioners for senior county jobs.
Labour Committee chaired by, Ms. Fatuma Masito Thursday resolved to summon the board for grilling on Monday.
The two commissioners, Zakaria Mwamzandi and Salim Mrina are said to have been shortlisted for interviews for the positions advertised by the board in two other county departments, without first tendering their resignations.
They were shortlisted for the positions of Director Community Development and Chief Officer Enterprise Development, respectively.
Ms. Masito said the MCAs are interested in knowing why the board shortlisted the two for the jobs, noting that it was wrong since it denies other candidates who had applied chances to fill the positions.
“It’s against the law for commissioners who are expected to vet the public for county jobs to shortlist themselves. This is unlawful and it amounts to conflict of interest,” said Ms. Masito.
“We’ve summoned the board to tell us why they did so,” the ODM nominated MCA said.
She said action will be taken against the commissioners if they are found to have flouted the law. “They will tell us how they were shortlisted,” she said.
MCA Suleiman Nzala said there have been numerous complaints from locals about the board over its performance.
“Locals have consistently accused the board of corruption, nepotism and discrimination and it’s time to act on it,” said Mr. Nzala.
Assembly Speaker, Mr. Sammy Ruwa condemned the board’s action, saying as a body entrusted with the role of recruiting county staff, it should at all-times uphold fairness.
“The Assembly is committed to protecting locals’ rights and we warn those who will be found to have breached the law that they will be dealt with appropriately,” said Mr. Ruwa.
By Winnie Wanda/James Muchai
Anger as MCAs accuse county board of conflict of interest
