Siaya Governor James Orengo is under pressure following the sudden dismissal of hundreds of county health workers, raising questions about transparency and accountability in the county’s employment practices. Alego Usonga MP Sam Atandi has called on the governor to clarify why more than 380 employees were sent home under circumstances that remain unclear, highlighting concerns over potential mismanagement in the recruitment process.
The affected workers had been employed by the county government and had served for about eight months before receiving termination letters. The county administration explained that the dismissals followed investigations which revealed that some employees had been recruited using forged documents.
According to the Siaya County Public Service Board, irregularities were found in appointment and deployment letters, including documents that did not follow the official sequence and signatures from unauthorized officers. Out of the more than 500 health workers hired, only 120 were confirmed as legitimate, leaving the majority without jobs and income.
Atandi has suggested that corruption could have played a role in the recruitment process. He alleged that some senior county officials may have collected money from desperate job seekers in exchange for employment, a claim that, if true, points to a serious abuse of public trust.
The MP has urged Governor Orengo to take responsibility for the scandal by removing those involved and inviting the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to conduct a thorough probe.
Atandi emphasized that the governor must act decisively to restore confidence in the county’s hiring practices.
The dismissals have caused distress among the affected workers, many of whom had already settled into their roles and begun contributing to county health services. The sudden loss of employment has left them uncertain about their future, with some expressing concerns over unpaid salaries for the period they had worked.
The situation has also raised questions about how public recruitment is managed in Siaya County and the measures in place to prevent irregularities and protect employees from arbitrary dismissal.
Governor Orengo’s handling of the situation will likely attract further scrutiny as residents and lawmakers call for accountability. Transparency in investigating the alleged forgery and potential corruption will be critical in restoring public trust.
The incident highlights the challenges in managing county employment and the urgent need for clear, fair, and legal recruitment processes. Unless addressed swiftly and openly, the controversy risks damaging the credibility of Siaya County’s leadership and undermining confidence in public service employment.
The ongoing developments are being closely monitored, and many expect that the governor’s next actions will determine how the situation unfolds, particularly in terms of accountability, compensation for affected workers, and the prevention of future irregularities in county employment.
