The Senate Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations is set to investigate Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wesley Rotich over allegations of irregular hiring and mismanagement of county funds.
This follows concerns raised by Senator William Kisang regarding questionable human resource practices, payroll management, and overall staff administration within the Elgeyo Marakwet County Public Service Board.
While appearing before the committee on Tuesday, July 22, the legislator demanded to know the rationale behind the frequent and unexplained transition of employees between permanent and contract terms.
He highlighted reported instances where officers revert to previous positions after serving as County Executive Committee Members (CECs) or Chief Officers (COs).
Senator Kisang has called for Governor Wesley Rotich to be summoned over alleged irregularities in promotions, payroll practices, and staff management within Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Kisang questioned how certain officers were promoted while bypassing job group progression and standard recruitment procedures, such as interviews.
He further claimed that Ksh11.3 million in special house allowances was paid to 156 employees without following due process, terming it a clear case of mismanagement.
“An additional Ksh3 million was paid as special salary to 25 staff over a year, despite public service guidelines prohibiting such discretionary payments,” he added.
The Senator also urged the Senate Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations to investigate reports of delayed or non-payment of salaries to county staff during the 2022/2023, 2023/2024, and 2024/2025 financial years.
He called for an inquiry into the causes of these delays and an assessment of the corrective measures, if any, taken by Governor Rotich's administration.
Kisang also raised concerns about 11 employees who have remained on probation beyond the legal limit, and more than seven senior officers who, despite being above the official retirement age of 60, are still listed on the county payroll, contrary to public service regulations.
Following the deliberations, the committee is expected to summon the governor to explain the concerns raised by the Senator in a move aimed at curbing graft within Elegeyo Marakwet County Government.
