The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has warned governors against flagrant violations of the existing guidelines for hiring staff for the Governor’s Executive Office.
In a memo to all governors on Thursday, EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak stated that previous Circulars issued by the Transition Authority and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission had limited the number of employees in the Governor’s office.
The latest development follows reports that governors were breaking recruitment rules by creating non-existent positions and offices without consulting the respective County Public Service Board, as required by Section 59 of the County Governments Act, 2012.
“The Commission issues this advisory, as a caution and requires the Governors in the affected Counties to take corrective measures in order to comply with the law and guidelines,” the memo to the county governments reads.
Governors are currently entitled to the following positions: Chief of Staff; Economic Advisor; Political Advisor; Legal Advisor; Director of the Governor’s Press Service; and Support staff (Personal Assistant, Personal Secretary, Cook, Driver, Messenger, and a Gardener).
According to the EACC, under the law, recruitment for the positions must be done with the approval and concurrence of the respective County Public Service Boards.
Those who violate the guidelines, according to the EACC, will be held personally liable for any loss, unauthorized expenditure, or over-expenditure of government revenue and other resources caused by the recruitment of such excess staff in their respective Counties.
