Senate committee summons Kawira, board over advertised jobs

The Senate National Cohesion and Integration Committee has summoned Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza and the County Public Service Board to shed light on the state of Meru County.

This is after the Meru County Public Service Board advertised 550 vacant positions without consulting the governor.

However, the County Governments Act section 63 (c) allows the County Public Service Board on its own motion on account of best interest of the county public service and parity of treatment of public officers taking into account the circumstances of each case.

“The County Public Service Board has the power to make appointments including promotions in respect of offices in the county public service. The power of the County Public Service Board shall be exercised—at the request of the relevant county chief officer of the department to which the appointment is to be made,” reads part of the act.

Yesterday, the Senate National Cohesion and Integration Committee, chaired by Marsabit lawmaker Mohammed Chute, adjourned after Kawira and County Public Service Board Secretary Virginia Kawira failed to appear.

The governor and the County Public Service Board have been pulling in different directions over advertisement of the 550 vacancies.

Meru County Assembly had also appropriated some Sh200 million for the recruitment of new staff.

However, while appearing before the Senate National Cohesion and Integration Committee, Meru County Secretary Kiambia Atheru accused the County Public Service Board (CPSB) of working unilaterally without consultation.

He cited the County Governments Act that requires the Devolved units not have the wage bill pass beyond 35 per cent of the funds.