Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika has offloaded 70 of the county's employees as the new administration takes charge.
A source privy to the matter told Kenyans.co.ke on Thursday, October 13, that the mass firings was a political move by the new regime.
The source explained that a majority of those shown the door were drawn from the county's political office as well as other divisions including drivers, protocol departments and personal assistants from former Governor Lee Kinyanjui's office.
"Those affected are from the political office, drivers, protocol departments and the PAs to Governor Lee.
"They were all political appointees. That's to say, it's the Governor who picked them and they didn't undergo competitive recruitment," the source revealed.
The employees, who contracts were set to end in December 2022, received their termination letters beginning September.
Most of the employee's one month's notice ended on Tuesday, October 11.
Reports indicate that the firing was politically motivated by the exchange of the regimes to create space for new political appointees.
One of the letters seen by Kenyans.co.ke indicated that the laid off workers were entitled to a one month's salary and a certificate of service.
"Please accept this letter as our formal notification to you that we are terminating your employment in accordance with regulation 28(3) of the Public Service Commission Regulations 2020 effective 11th October, 2022.
"You shall be paid one month's salary in lieu of notice and gratuity for the period served. Kindly note you shall be issued with a certificate of service upon clearance," read the letter in part.
Since new governors were sworn into office, the country has witnessed reorganization of governance at county levels, as they hit the ground running.
Some counties have also sent staff on compulsory leave to pave way for investigations following revelations of embezzlement.
