Violence will not bring you back to the payroll, Governor Jama tells disgruntled Ex- county employees.

Garissa, Thursday April 13, 2023

K.N.A By Jacob Songok

Garissa governor Nathif Jama has lashed out at disgruntled County employees who have been demonstrating in a push to be reinstated at the county government payroll, accusing them of using uncivilized ways.

The governor was speaking in response to an incident where a section of employees who were sacked following a payroll audit held demonstrations and marched to the County Headquarters where they badly damaged the building by breaking windows and several county vehicles that were in the parking lot.

Security had to be reinforced to stop more damage from the angry rioters who had lit bonfires and overwhelmed the few officers who were manning the gate and gained entry into the compound destroying equipment.

This was the second time the angry ex-county employees who have accused the executive for refusing to obey court orders to reinstate them were staging a protest after holding a similar one last week where they matched to the County Assembly.

But speaking to the press in his office, the visibly angry governor who termed the demonstrations as ‘impunity and uncivil’ called on the police to move with speed and apprehend suspects caught on CCTV damaging government property.

The governor regretted the turn of events saying that the group did not inform the police of their intended demonstrations saying that the onus is on them to pursue those behind the destruction.

“The moment we allow such characters to run around Garissa like that, then we are calling for bigger troubles because this is a town used to unnecessary skirmishes and as leaders from all walks we have been trying to cool down tensions and not interfere with the security that we have enjoyed for quite some time now,” Nathif Said.

“Going back to the payroll will not be easy especially if you resort to violence. If their intention is to be returned to the payroll, then first of all we need to follow the procedure in the court and they need to give the court time to determine this matter,” he added.

The governor further added that for those who were sacked after the human resource and payroll audit were sacked because they were either employed irregularly or did not have the required academic qualifications.

“If you did not know why you are out of payroll it is because you were irregularly employed. We are not a banana state. There are proper channels to raise grievances. The matter is in court. Let us await the verdict of the courts,” he said.

“You need to practice civility and seek justice in the right way, not through misbehavior and coming around to throw stones and destroying windows and other properties. Such acts will not take anyone anywhere,” he added.

After taking office last year, Governor Nathif ordered for an employee’s audit to solve the bloated wage bill at the time in his government which revealed that 180 people had been employed as directors, deputy and assistant directors with only 44 holding appropriate requirements in terms of documentation such as requirements for degrees.

It was also found out that close to 100 people were employed as drivers while there are only 12 vehicles up and running.

It was further established that 3,500 people had been recorded to earn salaries both in the IPPD and in excel without having passed through any due process regarding employment.

The affected employees moved to employment court in Garissa which ruled in their favour calling on the county government to reinstate them but the governor moved to appeal the ruling where the matter is still active.

Courtesy K.N.A