Editor's Review

EACC says that there is a flagrant breach of the existing guidelines on the recruitment of staff for the Executive Office of the Governor.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has fired a warning shot at governors who are hiring excess employees saying they will be personally held liable for the offence.

EACC says it will institute civil recoveries from individual Governors as part of its mandate to protect public funds.

In a Circular dispatched to all Governors by CEO Twalib Mbarak, seen by Nairobi Leo, the Commission says that there is a flagrant breach of the existing guidelines on the recruitment of staff for the Executive Office of the Governor.

Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi.

"EACC wants all Governors to limit staff for their offices only to Chief of Staff; Economic Advisor; Political Advisor; Legal Advisor; Director, Governor’s Press Service, and Support staff (Personal Assistant, Personal Secretary, Cook, Driver, Messenger, and a Gardener) as per the prevailing Circulars," the commission said.

A source at the EACC told this writer that among the governors being queried over illegal hiring is Wajir Governor Ahmed Jiir Abdullahi.

"We are investigating some counties over HR malpractices. Wajir where the Governor is alleged to have employed 51 Personal Advisors is one of them," the source said.

EACC warned governors from hiring excess employees saying they will face the consequences of their action.

"The Commission issues this advisory, as a caution and requires the Governors in the affected Counties to take corrective measures in order to comply with the law and guidelines," EACC said.

"The Commission wishes to remind Governors who may have or intend to recruit staff in violation of the law and guidelines that they shall be held personally liable for any loss, unauthorized expenditure, or over-expenditure of government revenue and other resources occasioned by recruitment of such excess staff in their respective Counties."