Kenya County Government Workers Union (KCGWU) wants Governor Jonathan Bii’s administration to give casual workers first priority when chances arise for permanent employment.
The Secretary for KCGWU Uasin Gishu branch Richard Amdany complained that casual workers inherited from the previous administration and the defunct local authority were being overlooked in hiring of new staff at the regional government.
Speaking to the press in Eldoret on Friday, Amdany said that it was unfair for the county government to employ new workers instead of absorbing those who served as casuals since 2013.
“We are appealing to the governor to intervene and ensure the casual workers who served in the previous county government are given first priority whenever any chance arises in some of the departments,” Amdany said.
He termed as unfair and inhuman a move by the county public service board to send packing scores of casual workers that were in herited from the former county executive as he vowed to champion for their rights.
The unionist questioned the rationale by the county public service board to recruit additional workforce and ignore those who have served on contracts for more than 10 years.
He cited the department of county enforcement where massive recruitment of officers has been carried out through the county public service board and terminated the services of casuals.
Employees from various departments at the county government were laid off last year following a head count and staff audit that was ordered by the governor to address the payroll and ghost workers.
Revenue clerks, drivers, and enforcement officers who worked at the defunct local authority of Eldoret and the previous county executive were the most affected.
All heads of the county departments were directed to disengage the services of the affected casual workers in a move that caused hue and cry from the affected employees who said that they should have been the first to be considered for permanent employment.
