A human rights activist has petitioned the Kisumu County Public Service Board to disclose details of the reported appointment or secondment of serving police officers to the county government’s enforcement department.
Kisumu City Residents Voice AssociationChairman Audi Ogada said the reported deployments raised questions about recruitment procedures, terms of service, remuneration and compliance with laws governing public service appointments.
In an open petition to the board, Ogada sought clarification on how the officers were recruited or appointed, whether the process was competitive and which institution was responsible for paying their salaries and benefits.
He also asked the board to disclose whether the officers were employed on contract or permanent and pensionable terms, and to provide details of their contracts, including their duration and remuneration packages.
For officers appointed on permanent and pensionable terms, Ogada sought confirmation that the appointments had been authorised and carried out in accordance with applicable legal and administrative procedures.
He further asked whether any of the officers were receiving salaries from both the national and county governments for overlapping duties during the same period.
If such payments were being made, he wanted the board to explain the legal and administrative arrangements authorising them.
Ogada said the public had a legitimate interest in understanding the circumstances surrounding the appointments or secondments, particularly where public funds and public service employment were concerned.
“As citizens and taxpayers, we are entitled to seek accountability and transparency regarding decisions that affect the management of public institutions and public resources,” he said in the petition.
He urged the board to provide factual information on the officers’ recruitment, deployment, remuneration and terms of service, as well as clarify the respective responsibilities of the national and county governments regarding their employment status and salaries.
Ogada also called on the board to make relevant appointment and secondment records available to the public, subject to applicable laws on access to information, privacy and confidentiality.
“Such disclosure would help address public concerns, promote confidence in the County Public Service Board and demonstrate the county government’s commitment to transparency, accountability and prudent use of public resources,” he said.
He asked the board to treat the petition seriously and provide a comprehensive response within a reasonable timeframe.
Ogada said he reserved the right to pursue appropriate legal and constitutional remedies if the concerns remained unresolved.
He cited the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, as providing for civilian oversight of public institutions and state officers, saying such oversight was necessary to promote accountability among public officials.
The petition calls for clarification of the officers’ employment arrangements. The county board’s response, if any, was not included in the petition details provided.
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