Machakos Governor Dr Alfred Mutua has promised to rid his administration of all ghost workers within a period of three months.
Addressing hundreds of county workers at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos Monday, Dr Mutua said his government was losing thousands of shillings in paying non -existent employees and vowed to ensure such names were struck off from the county’s pay roll.
The Governor who was accompanied by his deputy Engineer Francis Maliti and several members of his cabinet also promised to complete all pending development projects in one month’s time.
“My government will in the next three months ensure all ghost employees who have been pocketing salaries without stepping in any work station are dealt with for good. This will be attained through carrying out a comprehensive human resource audit on our pay roll to help identify such persons who earn monthly dues but are not part of our workforce,” he explained.
The county boss has also warned members of his staff against abetting inefficiency and implored upon them on the need to carry themselves with decorum and esteem to be able to dispense quality services to the public.
He said for the county to achieve its development goals, workers must strive to ensure all the targeted development goals were attained on time as planned.
“County staff must always be on their toes in the execution of the daily duties. Similarly all heads of departments should consider proposals from their staff and make sure that such recommendations are eventually implemented if found creditable,” he added.
He also promised to improve the working conditions of his entire staff but also called upon them to maintain a high level of cleanliness in their work place when serving the public.
“Personal appearance and hygiene is important especially when you are a county worker. Similarly, those managing the sanitation department sector should at all times ensure all public washrooms are sparkling clean at all times for use by the public,” he added.
About his recent working pact with Makueni governor Professor Kivutha Kibwana and his Kitui counterpart Charity Ngilu, Mutua said the move was meant for the greater good of the residents of the Lower Eastern region.
The three governors have had several consultative meeting in the recent months aimed at forging the South Eastern Economic Block (SEKEB) common economic bloc that would attract foreign donors and eventually help spur development in the three counties.
Crucial among bills expected to be deliberated during the third session of the Machakos County Assembly include SEKEB and a draft bill for the establishment of the Mavoko, Machakos and Tala/Kangundo munipalities.
The proposal to launch SEKEB was mooted in November 16 last year after governors Dr Mutua, Ngilu and Kibwana made a joint declaration to form an economic block that would help attract donor funding for development projects in the three Lower Eastern regions.
By Samuel Maina and Daniel Kalii
