By Anderson Ojwang
The county government of Kisumu has suspended recruitment, contract extensions, and contract conversion to permanent and pensionable terms for its employees.
Prospective new employees of the county government who have been interviewed and were successful will have to wait a little longer, while employees whose contracts are expiring will be rendered jobless by the action. Employees who had hoped their contracts would be converted into permanent and pensionable ones will have to wait until the government lifts the suspension.
A memo dated 11th November 2024, addressed to the County Secretary from the Kisumu County Public Service Board and signed by the Vice Chairperson, Dr Mary Jacinta A. Kapiyo, was in response to a letter from the County Secretary dated 7th November 2024 on the above matter.
“The Board, on receipt of the above-mentioned letter, held a meeting on Monday, 11th November 2024 to discuss its contents. As at the time of suspending recruitment, contract extension, and contract conversion to permanent and pensionable terms, the Board had the following ongoing activities,” read the memo in part.
The Board had conducted interviews after receiving requisitions from different departments to recruit staff in various positions.
In the Department of the County Attorney, there were nine vacancies; after the availability of funds was confirmed, the selection was done but appointment letters were yet to be issued.
In the Department of Trade, Tourism, Cooperatives, Industry, and Marketing, there were eight positions; selection had been done, and the Board was awaiting confirmation of fund availability from the department.
In the Department of Kisumu County Revenue Board, there was one vacant position; selection had been done, and the Board was awaiting confirmation of fund availability from the department.
In the Department of Energy, Transport, Roads, and Public Works, there were 109 vacant positions; selection was done, and fund availability was confirmed, but the appointment letters were not yet issued.
In the Department of Lands, Housing, Physical Planning, and Urban Development, there were 32 vacancies; fund availability was confirmed, and selection undertaken, but the appointment letters were not yet issued.
In the Department of Education, Technical Training, Innovation, and Social Services, there were vacancies for Assistant Vocational Trainers (10 positions), and 100 vacancies for Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers. Interview dates were scheduled from 18th November 2024 to 2nd December 2024.
The Board observed that the recruitment process was initiated by the relevant departments and approved by the cabinet after budget confirmation and consideration of several factors to justify the need. Subsequently, a formal request was made to the Board.
“The Board received a reminder letter from the Department of Lands, Housing, Physical Planning, and Urban Development, requesting the Board to release names of successful candidates to enable the department to operationalise the municipalities. This will ensure that the county government does not miss out on the conditional grant from the Kenya Urban Support Program (KUSP),” read the memo in part.
The Board noted that it had conducted interviews for ECDE teachers in 2020 and selected suitable candidates, but the appointment letters were never issued due to a lack of funds.
“Consequently, a repeat of the same will negatively impact the Board and the county government’s image to the public. Similarly, it will discourage applicants in the future,” read the memo.
The Board stated that service delivery in the education sector will be affected, as exemplified by the number of schools without ECDE teachers in the county, among other departments.
