A senior officer conducting the payroll audit in Nyamira County discovered people who had letters of appointment dating March 2016 but their KCSE certificates were obtained from 2017, an indication that they were absorbed while in school.
Several top county officials could be subjected to prosecution following discovery of irregularities in employment of over 500 workers in the ongoing audit on the payroll.
“It’s going to be tough. People were recruited to the system before attaining 18 years. Their certificates date between 2018 and 2017. Most obtained IDs long after getting employment letters,” the officer said in confidence.
Already, Governor John Nyagarama had ordered scrutiny of all enforcement and senior support staffs credentials at Sub County level. It’s believed that many people could be drawing salaries without proper credentials.
Last week, Nyagarama ordered all payroll officers to proceed to a three months mandatory leave. They have already paved way for interim team which is executing the audit.
“The payroll manager, Mr Lewis Oburu, and his other team members, among them James Nyagechanga, Ann Ontiri and Josephat Nyamweya, are directed to proceed on three months leave pending the audit of the payroll,” said Mr Nyagarama.
Deputy Governor Amos Nyaribo has in the past complained about the ballooning wage bill with Auditor General report saying that Sh5 billion for Nyamira always does for recurrent expenditure.
“Whereas some of the recruits have already been included in the payroll, nobody admits openly to being involved in these processes including the Public Service Board, County Secretary and Directorate of Human Resource,” Mr Nyaribo said.