Governors head to court over employment of County Administrators

The Council of Governors (COG) Chairman Peter Munya has condemned the Senate’s plan to have County administrators employed on contract basis.

Speaking in Buuri, Meru County, Munya claimed that the move is aimed at undermining the spirit of devolution in the country.

Munya said that County Commissioners and the rest of the National Government civil servants are permanent and therefore Sub County officers must be permanent employees.

The COG Chairman said the Bill that has been sponsored by West Pokot Senator John Lonyangapuo contravenes the Constitution that outlines the guidelines on management and recruitment of government employees.

He said that if the Bill becomes law, Governors will go to the Supreme Court to challenge it.

“That law wants to bring politics in the county government. The constitution says we must be equal. If you work for the county government, you are equal to a person who works for the national government.  You cannot discriminate against a person that works for the county government. That person deserves a pension just like a person who works for the National Government,” said Munya.

The proposed Amendment Bill wants Sections 50, 51 and 25 of County Government Act 2012 changed and seeks to have County Administrators hired on contract basis instead of the current permanent status.