Kisii Deputy Clerk and Ex-Speaker Nabbed by EACC Over Nepotism in Hiring Scandal

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested the Deputy Clerk and former Speaker of the Kisii County Assembly over irregular recruitment involving the Deputy Clerk’s niece.

In a statement released today, EACC disclosed that the Deputy Clerk, on or around October 24, 2017, unlawfully hired his niece as a clerical officer without the involvement of the County Public Service Board or adherence to recruitment procedures.

The niece was later irregularly appointed as the Speaker’s Personal Assistant (PA) on permanent and pensionable terms, contrary to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission’s (SRC) guidelines, which require such appointments to be on a contractual basis.

The former Speaker is accused of abusing his office by authorising the unlawful appointment, thereby conferring an undue benefit.

The Deputy Clerk appeared before the Kisii Law Courts on Monday, April 7, where he denied the abuse of office charges. He was released on a cash bail of Ksh50,000 or a bond of Ksh100,000 with a similar surety.

The former Speaker failed to appear in court today, prompting the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to issue a summons.

This case adds to a string of recent corruption cases in county governments. On March 3, EACC arrested four former Nyamira County officials over illegal recruitment of 56 staff in the Department of Gender, Youth, Culture, and Social Services. The positions were not approved by the Cabinet nor budgeted for in the 2016/2017 financial year.

The EACC continues to intensify its crackdown on corruption and nepotism in devolved units.