Violence won't bring you back to payroll - Jama tells ex-staff

Garissa governor Nathif Jama on Thursday lashed out at disgruntled County employees who have been demonstrating accusing them of using uncivilized ways to be reinstated.

He was referring to an incident on Tuesday where the demonstrators matched to the County Headquarters where they badly damaged the building by breaking windows and several county vehicles that were on the packing lot.

Security had to be reinforced to stop more damage from the angry rioters who had lit bonfires and who had already accessed entry into the compound after overwhelming the few officers who were manning the gate.

They were finally dispersed by the police who lobbed teargas canisters.

This was the second time the angry ex-county employees who have accused the executive of 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 including motor vehicles.

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. 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."

“Going back to the payroll will not be easy especially if you resort to violence. They need to follow the procedure in the court,” he said.

The development comes as it emerged that The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission[EACC] is carrying out an inquiry into allegations of conflict of interest at the Garissa County Public Service Board.

In a letter addressed to the secretary/CEO of the Garissa County Public Service Board, EACC is seeking to be furnished with certified copies of 31 officers.

The officers in question from the cadres of directors, Administrators, Drivers, Human Resource officers, Religious Officers and clerks among others.

EACC further seeks a copy of the personal files of Boards chairperson  Ebla Europe Sahal, Mohamed Sheik Abdi, Amal Ahmed Farah and Adey Hassan Kaar.

In the letter, the EACC further requested the copies of advertisement, list of applicants, shortlisted candidates, interview scoresheets, and list of persons recommended for appointment in the positions of the 31 officers under investigation.

Consequently, the commission seeks to have pay slips in respect of Adey Hassan Kaar and Amal Ahmed Farah and any other document that may assist in the investigations.

In November last year, an audit carried out showed that the county hired directors and their deputies who did not have the mandatory academic papers to head the dockets.

Also, 1oo people were hired as drivers yet there are only 12 vehicles in the county transport department.

Making the findings, Garissa Governor Nathif Jama regretted that the county had been turned into a recruitment bureau which has contributed to it lagging behind in terms of providing essential services to residents.

“The county was paying close to Sh450 million per month from the monthly exchequer and our wage bill was around 70 per cent, which is way above the legal requirement of 35 per cent under the PFM act," the governor said at the time.