Controversy never seems to steer far from Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko and once again, he is on the spot over the frequent suspension and sacking of staff at the county government.
On Monday, October 21, several MCAs criticised the county head, claiming he haphazardly suspended staff based on allegations rather than concluded investigations.
Daily Nation reported that Mowlem MCA Benson Mwangi demanded an explanation about the number of staff who have been demoted, suspended or sacked since Governor Sonko assumed office in 2017.
“The last two years of operations within the county executive have been defined by instability and characterised by constant reshuffles, suspensions sackings and constant fall-outs,
“These demotions, suspensions and sackings are usually based on mere allegations without tangible, evidence, warnings or due disciplinary process,” stated Mwangi.
The legislators alleged that since the current regime took over, more than 300 county staff have either been suspended or sacked over different reasons ranging from corruption, laxity at work, working “with his enemies”, and insubordination.
Mwangi claimed that the governor’s haphazard way of firing people had left the most critical service deprived of staff and thus near shut down.
He further asked the chairperson of the County Assembly Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, pursuant to Standing Order 45 (2) (c) of the Nairobi County Assembly, to get a report from the Executive regarding the operations of affected county departments in the face of the rampant demotions, suspension and sackings.
He also pushed the executive to publicise the outcomes of investigations done and disciplinary actions taken against officers who have been found culpable.
On September 15, 2019, the governor suspended Finance CEC Charles Kerich and Health CEC Mohamed Dagane over the Precious Talents School tragedy.
