Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga has intervened in an ongoing labour dispute that has rocked the county after the termination of more than 500 health workers whose appointments were revoked by the Siaya County Public Service Board.
In the first Senate sitting since the passing of his brother, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Oburu Odinga sought a statement from the Senate Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare over what he termed a matter of 'countywide concern'.
According to the Senator, the affected staff had been hired through an open and competitive process, only to work for months without pay.
"On December 24, the board advertised 120 positions but issued over 700 appointment letters. The workers served from January 2025, having completed internships and document verification, yet they went without pay until August 2025," the Senator claimed.
"They were informed that 520 were irregularly employed and [their] names missing from the county payroll."
The Senator's claims were contrary to what was reported by County Public Service Board Chief Executive Officer, Wilfred Nyagudi in September. At the time, Nyagudi claimed the mass firing came after inconsistencies were found in their reference letters.
At a meeting between the workers and the county officials, only 120 health workers were informed that they are eligible employees.
The rest were told not to report to work again while the issues surrounding their salaries remained unclear.
However, according to Senator Oburu, the workers served from January 2025 having completed internship and document verification, yet they went without pay until August 2025.
In his demands, the Senator called on the Labour and Social Welfare Committee to investigate and provide a comprehensive explanation of how the alleged irregular hiring unfolded.
He also called on the committee to detail the circumstances under which 580 workers who were recruited through advertised vacancies were terminated by the county board.
In addition, Senator Oburu demanded a report on the stations where the affected employees were working before their dismissal as well as measures being taken by the county to regularise the employment status of those who had worked continuously for more than three months.
According to labour regulations, anyone who has worked for that period is deemed eligible to gain permanent employment status.
Finally, the senator asked the committee to provide clear timelines on when the affected health workers would be compensated for the nine months they served without pay.
