Mandera County Public Service Board ordered to release employment records
By Joel Masibo, September 3, 2025The Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ), also known as the Office of the Ombudsman, has directed the Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Mandera County Public Service Board to release detailed employment information covering the period from 2013 to date.
According to a statement released on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, CAJ said the order follows an application for review filed by Mr AMA through the law firm of Kivuva Omuga and Company Advocates after the County Secretary failed to process an information request as required by law.
The request sought transparency on the total number of employees hired by the Mandera County Government and a detailed breakdown of their employment profiles.
According to the commission, the information required includes:
The total number of employees employed by the county since 2013. A breakdown of all employees in terms of positions held, qualifications for those positions, designations, dates of employment and academic graduation, job descriptions, clan designations, and other relevant details.
The commission first wrote to the CEO of the board on June 16, 2025, requesting an institutional report within seven days. However, no response was received, prompting the Ombudsman to invoke its powers under Section 22(3) of the Access to Information (ATI) Act, 2016, and the ATI General Regulations of 2023.
In its determination, the CAJ confirmed that the information requested is in the custody of the board but noted that some elements may fall under the limitations set out in Section 6(1) of the ATI Act. Nonetheless, the Ombudsman ordered the release of the total employment figures and a breakdown of staff by positions, qualifications, and designations.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Mandera County Public Service Board has been given 21 days to comply with the directive. Failure to do so will see the Commission recommend criminal prosecution against the CEO under Section 28 of the Access to Information Act, 2016.
Meanwhile, the CAJ has emphasised that the directive is meant to enforce transparency and accountability in public service, ensuring citizens can access critical information on public employment.