Sack non-performing staff, Ruto tells counties

Deputy President William Ruto has told county governments to sack non-performing staff as a measure to improve service delivery.

Speaking during women group meeting held at the Chelemuk in Teso North Constituency on Saturday, Ruto said county governments do not need permission from the national government to fire county staff.

He said civil service is the engine of any efficient government, adding that officers who cannot handle challenges that hinder service delivery should be relieved of their duties.

“I want to assure the county governments that they are free to replace lazy and incompetent civil servants under their jurisdictions,” he said.

“The purpose of the public service is to deliver quality services to the public. This, however, cannot be achieved if we have officers who frustrate progressive policies aimed at improving socio economic development of the counties.”

Ruto was responding to Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong who claimed that county governments were grappling with workers inherited from defunct local authorities, some of whom were incompetent.