Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has asked the Public Service Board to stop intimidating county staff,noting that the board has no jurisdiction in law over county employees.
In a stern statement posted on his Facebook Page,the governor is blaming the newly created Nairobi Metropolitan Service and the Public Service Board for disregarding the Deed of Transfer of Functions from the county to the national governmemt.
Sonko’s move is expected to stir a power battle between him and the NMS, even as those against his leadership opine that the governor was not amicably made aware of what he was signing when he handed over the county government functions.
He is blaming unknown state officials of taking advantage of the Deed of Transfer of Functions to pursue their agenda.
” I wish to register my great displeasure and disappointment ,and that of the entire Nairobi City County Government in the Atrocious and repugnant manner with which a few officials from the national governmemt have chosen to pursue the implementation of the Deed of Transfer of Functions that l signed on February 25,2020 at State House Nairobi, and witnessed by His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta,” Sonko’s statement read in part .
The Public Service Board on Friday summoned 6,052 of the over 11,000 employees of the County Government to collect their letters of redeployment.
The 6,052 employees were ordered to appear with relevant credentials ascertaining their employment with the County Public Service Board.
However,the govenor argues that the responsibility of County employees lies squarely with the Nairobi County Public Service Board.
He observes that according to the agreement signed, the PSC should only second national government officers to the NMS.
With the country battling to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, Sonko also stated that the move to summon thousands of employees at KICC contravenes the directive by President Uhuru Kenyatta on social distancing.
He has henceforth ordered the summoned employees not to heed to the PSC calls until further notice.
” The Nairobi City County Government employees are hereby advised to ignore the threats allegedly issued by PSC,on behalf of the NMS,” Sonko added.
Sonko also claims that the PSC has disregarded senior County Officials in making their communication, adding that their are individuals targeting to hijack the takeover of four key functions.
Nairobi County Executive Members have also lamented lack of communication from the PSC and NCPSB.
According to the Deed of Transfer of Functions,the NCPSB and the PSB were to second names of employees who will work for the body mandated to execute the functions transfered.
The NMS operates directly under the Presidency and Sonko’s complains are expected to attract the attention of key state officials at State House.
In their recommendations to the assembly,the Finance Budget and Appropriations Committee asked the PSC to take full charge of the County’s payroll for all the 11,000 employees.
The NMS is expected to fully begin it’s operations after the assembly approved Sh 15 billion to help it execute it’s mandate
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