Trans Nzoia County is grappling with a wage bill crisis, with over 700 irregularly hired casual workers on the payroll, according to Governor George Natembeya.
Auditor General Nancy Gathungu has raised concerns over the expenditure of more than Sh500 million on these casual workers. Natembeya explained that these workers were hired before his tenure, and his attempts to address the issue are reportedly being obstructed by opponents who claim he aims to dismiss them.
The governor noted that many of these casual workers—such as house helps, farmhands, and children of former officials—earn Sh15,000 monthly but do not actually report for work. “They receive county salaries while working as house helps or attending college. This is unacceptable and must be stopped,” Natembeya stated.
He alleged that many of these workers were introduced into the system by former senior county staff and politicians seeking to benefit illegally, and these individuals are now trying to undermine the county’s efforts to eliminate their illicit income streams.
Natembeya highlighted that numerous individuals listed as casual laborers are earning substantial sums without providing any services. “Reports show we are compensating people who are not even at their supposed workplaces. Some have not been seen for years, appearing only during headcounts,” he remarked.
“We must cleanse our system of these corrupt practices that have cost Trans Nzoia residents millions of shillings that could have funded development projects,” he added.
The governor plans to consult with the Controller of Budget and the Senate to find solutions for the casual labor issue. He noted that his ongoing campaign against corruption and nepotism has ruffled the feathers of the county’s political elite and those benefiting from these illegal dealings.
Natembeya’s actions follow a troubling report from the Auditor General and findings from a task force that revealed extensive irregularities in the county’s financial and public service management. He is committed to addressing what he perceives as the misuse of power by former officials who employed their relatives as casual workers.
He vowed to ensure that Trans Nzoia residents reap the benefits of devolution. “We witness some exploiting the system to defraud residents. We inherited a corrupt system, and I am determined to reform it for the betterment of our people,” Natembeya stated. “I will not permit anyone to misappropriate our funds through ghost workers.”
The governor pledged to ensure that the recommendations from the Auditor General’s report are fully addressed. “We seek a clean government free from corruption and illegal activities. We will not let corrupt individuals continue to benefit from our taxes,” he affirmed.
Recent reports revealed significant discrepancies within the county’s casual labor force, with 702 casual workers being paid through a manual payroll, despite 682 of them exceeding the three-month engagement limit. Gathungu noted that there was no evidence to confirm that their hiring had been approved by the County Public Service Board, violating the Employment Act and County Human Resource Manual.
The audit also indicated that 515 casual workers received over Sh95 million annually without proper procedures or accountability. Moreover, since 2013, the county has been paying salaries to employees outside the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Database, raising transparency concerns.
Governor Natembeya emphasized that his efforts have garnered public support, reflecting widespread frustration with the rampant corruption that has historically plagued the county.
