Exposed: 26 counties Kenyans complain against over injustices

 

Alleged rape, bribery, irregular recruitment of staff and unfair dismissals are among complaints Kenyans are filing against county governments and their officers, a report shows.

A report by the Commission on Administrative Justice  exposed 26 devolved units that Kenyans are complaining against over various injustices.

They are Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Nandi, Nakuru, Kajiado, Meru, Mombasa, Kilifi, Vihiga, Homa Bay, Busia, Nyeri, Nyamira, Kirinyaga and Nairobi.

Others are Garissa, Kisii, Lamu, Narok, Turkana, Tana River, Kitui,  Machakos, Kakamega, Kisumu and Kiambu.

The bi-annual report for the period between July and December 2022 filed by the Florence Kajuju-led commission was tabled in the Senate last week.

It shows that over the six months period, the commission received 1,001 complaints from Kenyans against 70 public institutions and 26 county governments.

“Out of these complaints, 462 were resolved while 539 were still pending resolution at different action stages—inquiries, investigations, summons and show-cause,” the report states.

According the report, some of the county officers are accused of terrorising their residents and engaging in other illegal activities.

In Turkana, a former county chief inspector has been accused of harassing local and engaging in illegal activities.

“They include raping minors, unlawfully transferring property, falsifying criminal cases and operating an illegal bar,” the report states, adding that the inquiry was ongoing.

In Narok, the county faces allegation of unfairly terminating the services of an employee without following due procedure.

In Nairobi, the county officers are accused of illegally and irregularly approving constructions.

The Nairobi city water and sewerage company is particularly on the spot over erroneous water bills to the residents and illegals disconnections.

“Complainant alleged that the company had failed to resolve persistent water cuts in the Karuna Close area. An inquiry was initiated,” the report states.

The county also faces complaints over failure to pay contracted employees.

In Kirinyaga, the county is accused of failing to issue successful candidates with appointment letters and deploying them.

A complainant is accusing Mombasa government of failing to remove illegal structures on his plot of land despite court orders.

In Meru, the county is accused of not paying workers for several months.

“The complainant alleged that he was employed as a driver on casual basis by the Meru County government, and was attached at Kangeta subcounty hospital. He contended that that he was not paid from February 2018 to January 2020,” the report states.

In Busia, the county faces allegations of failing to provide information on the subdivision of Funyula recreational centre for individual development.

Trans Nzoia county is accused of failing to pay dues amounting to Sh140,000 to a staff whose services it terminated.

“The complainant made follow ups with county government; however, he has not received his dues,” the report states.

A complainant has also alleged that the Eldoret Water and Sewerage Company delayed to address a complaint about unlawful disconnection of water supply.

“The complainant alleged that the water and sewerage company has delayed to address his complaint on anomaly in the sewerage drainage line in his parcel of land,” it says.

In Kakamega, the county owned water company is being accused of issuing inflated water bills.    BY THE STAR