Governor Calls for Emergency Sitting After Recruitment Scandal

Siaya Governor James Orengo has called for an urgent special sitting of the County Assembly as pressure mounts over allegations of irregular hiring within the county’s health sector. 

The governor’s decision comes after weeks of public concern and a series of warnings from anti-corruption officials, many of which mirror issues we raised in earlier reports — details that other outlets have since mirrored in their own coverage.

A gazette notice published on December 5 confirmed that the county assembly will convene two special sessions — one in the morning and another in the afternoon — on Tuesday, December 9. Both sittings will take place at the County Assembly Chambers in Siaya.

The morning sitting, scheduled for 10:00 a.m., will focus on a motion addressing complaints of unlawful contract extensions and a rising number of irregular acting appointments within the county public service.

One of the key individuals whose conduct will be discussed is George Nying’iro, the Acting CEC for Finance, Economic Planning and Vision 2030. 

Members of the assembly are expected to question his role in the controversial decisions that have sparked concern across the county.

Later in the day, Governor Orengo is expected to deliver a State of the County Address, where he will outline his administration’s position on the scandal and provide updates on ongoing governance reforms.

The emergency sitting follows disturbing revelations made by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC). 

According to early findings shared by the commission, the Siaya County Public Service Board allegedly recruited more than 500 health workers without proper approval.

EACC officials say the hiring process did not follow the required procedures and lacked formal authorisation. 

This raised immediate concerns about transparency and suggested that some positions may have been filled through corrupt practices.

Preliminary reports indicate that desperate job seekers were allegedly asked to pay bribes of between KSh300,000 and KSh350,000 in exchange for appointment letters. 

The commission is also investigating claims that the number of people hired was far beyond the positions the county had officially approved — raising fears of ghost workers being added to the payroll.

Back in September, Nyanza region EACC commissioner Abraham Kemboi confirmed that a full investigation had already begun. 

However, he noted that progress had been slowed by limited cooperation from some key county officials.

This lack of support has frustrated both investigators and residents, many of whom have been demanding accountability for months.

The recruitment scandal has now reached national platforms. In October, Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga raised the matter in the Senate during its first sitting following the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. 

Oburu told lawmakers that although only 120 job vacancies had been advertised, more than 700 appointment letters were issued.

This revelation intensified concerns over possible payroll fraud, unauthorised recruitment and a potential financial burden on the county budget.

Tuesday’s special sitting is expected to be tense as MCAs debate the alleged misconduct within the county service. 

The discussions could lead to recommendations for disciplinary action, suspension of officials, or even fresh investigations.