Nairobi County Speaker sued for allegedly hiring ghost workers

In the petition filed by one Francis Awino, the Speaker is said to have reportedly hired the said employees despite the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) decreeing that he can only have a maximum of five staff members working under him.

Awino says that the speaker hired three personal drivers, three secretaries and one communications officer who is the former Member of County Assembly (MCA) for Gatina Ward.

The remaining five staff members are reportedly ghost workers who cannot be accounted for despite their names reflecting as staff working under the Speaker. 

Awino further argued that there were overwhelming illegalities, irregularities and circumvention of the law when the appointments were made by the Speaker.

“No shortlisting and eventual interviews of the appointees was ever conducted or any publishing of their names in the print media; a clear manifestation to the extent of flouting of the Constitution by the Respondent,” court documents seen by Citizen Digital read in part.

He added that by failing to advertise the jobs as required by law, the positions were irregularly filled and therefore denied other competent residents of Nairobi and Kenya the right to apply and compete for the positions.

Awino also accused the Speaker of facilitating the unlawful employment of relatives of some members of the County Assembly of Nairobi.

“To name but a few, Hon. Catherine Apiyo Akoth who is the nominated MCA with O.D.M, Party,” say the court documents. The Respondent has facilitated the employment of her daughter, Ms. Winnie at the administration department of the county assembly while Hon. Emily Oduor has employed her daughter Ms. Oduor at the legal department of the County Assembly,” reads the court documents. 

“Unrelenting with the irregular appointments, Hon. Wilfred Oluoch who is the Member of County Assembly of Nairobi, Mabatini Ward and the Chairman of the Budget Committee has employed his son Mr. Pinto Odar as a Finance Officer of the County Assembly.”

Awino wants the court to declare the Speaker’s actions as a clear abuse of office further noting that the appointments should be quashed.

He also wants the court to direct the Public Service Commission to conduct fresh interviews and appointments of the recommended members to serve in the Speaker’s office.