Homabay Governor Cyprian Awiti has been grilled by the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) over a health workers scandal in the county.
EACC Head of Corporate Communications Phillip Kagucia on Wednesday, December 23, 2020, revealed that the governor appeared before the commission's Kisii offices to record a statement.
Awiti is on the hook after the agency launched a probe into the recruitment of 183 medical practitioners under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and some 69 interns under the same programme.
The governor's summoning proceeds a prior date between EACC and three officials from the county's Public Service Board over similar allegations.
In July 2020 a section of members from the county's Public Service Board had rejected the recruitment of health workers into the county UHC programme.
They wrote to the Public Service Commission (PSC) asking for the dismissal of the appointment of about 100 personnel citing irregularities in the recruitment process.
Board Chairman Daniel Ogada, Collins Odhiambo (Secretary) and Tobias Odundo (member) alleged that Governor Awiti had conducted the recruitment unprocedurally.
Awiti's summoning comes at the back of a nationwide strike involving medical practitioners.
The doctors officially commenced their strike on Monday, December 21, following failed talks between the government and the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU).
KMPDU Secretary General Chibanzi Mwachonda vowed to continue with the strike until the government meets their demands on PPEs, risk allowances and comprehensive medical cover.
The doctors' union joined nurses and clinical officers who have been on strike for the last two weeks.
