Tharaka-Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki has suspended 1,061 county workers just three days after he was sworn in.
Those affected include 660 casual labourers attached to various departments, 289 on open contract and 112 nurses on permanent employment.
Speaking to journalists on Monday, the Governor explained that the suspensions are part of his strategy to curb the Sh600 Million wage bill allocated to the over 6,000 county workers.
"This is a very small county to have such a big number of employees," he observed.
Governor Njuki explained that the 660 casuals were earning a salary yet they were not reporting to any workstation.
The 112 nurses were allegedly employed to replace the 600 on strike without following the due process, while the 289 contracted workers were not qualified for the jobs.
"A big number of the nurses are quacks and are relatives and friends of the county's senior workers," Njuki lamented.
The Governor conveyed that the exercise would continue until the payroll is overhauled.
His Machakos counterpart, Dr Alfred Mutua suspended over 437 county government officials from the finance department last week.
Mutua directed the officers in charge of procurement, accountants, auditors, directors among others to proceed on immediate leave until further notice.
Read More: Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua Suspends Over 437 County Officials
