Incoming Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim has ordered for an immediate head count of all county workers to weed out any existing ghost workers.
The governor, during his first meeting with all county staff, said that only a thorough headcount of workers would rule out allegations that there were ghost workers on the county payroll.
Bii ordered county staff to be at their working stations at all times warning that whoever would not be found at their places of work would be counted as a ghost worker.
“There are allegations being peddled around that ghost workers exist in Uasin Gishu County. We, as a new administration would like to carry out an immediate staff headcount and human resource audit to determine whom we are working with,” said Bii.
He also rubbished reports that he has already given out positions of county jobs in exchange for money to some influential persons, saying the only vacancies occupied so far by his team are that of Governor, Deputy Governor Eng. John Barorot and Chief of Staff Nicholas Chepkwony. The rest, he said, would undergo a vigorous process of selection to have competent county staff in the various top jobs.
Governor Bii cautioned county askaris against harassing residents while performing their duties saying that they would be dealt with according to the law.
“As much as we want our county askaris to be firm when carrying out their duties within the law, they must also execute their duties with a human face,” he said.
At the same time, Bii cautioned his political supporters who have been camping at the county offices and creating a tussle between them and employees who were hired by outgoing governor Jackson Mandago’s administration that the campaign period was over and they should go home and wait for job opportunities that he had promised them.
Bii also ordered an immediate establishment of the whereabouts of county government tractors and machinery saying that they have been highly publicized with claims of a high number of tippers and tractors that were used for road maintenance, but at the time he stepped in office, he has not been shown any existence of the heavy machinery.
Governor Bii however assured the staff that his administration would work with all of them to ensure locals get necessary services from his administration as that was one of the pledges he had given to the people of Uasin Gishu.
He further said that his administration would be looking into all staff issues such as promotions, provision of uniforms, and other welfare issues.
On the health sector, the county boss noted that he has already held discussions with Ampath with a view to reopening Revolving Fund Pharmacy in selected health facilities in the county.
He further noted that he is reviewing a policy on drug distribution to ensure the KEMSA delivers drugs to the county Hospitals directly. “We will keep the buffer stocks only at the Central stores,” he added.
On his part, Deputy Governor Eng. John Barorot said the new administration would be looking at performance management that would ensure every county staff contributes to the growth of the county within a team and as an individual.
Barorot has been tasked by the Governor to look into all issues of human resources and ICT to ensure the county has a motivated workforce focused on service delivery for the people.
By Kiptanui Cherono
