Kisumu Deputy Governor Mathews Owili. [Rberto Muyela]
Kisumu County government may be forced to spent huge amount of money to pay off 14 chief officers sent on compulsory leave by Governor Peter Anyang Nyong’o when he assumed office.
The governor sent the officers packing in August this year, arguing that the contract of the officers ended by the end of the term of the former government under Jack Ranguma.
But the officers moved to Employment and Labour relations court in Kisumu where the court found the directive a breach of the contract.
The court ordered the devolved unit to either reinstate the staff or compensate them financially for the remaining contract period.
Speaking in his office, Deputy Governor Dr. Mathews Owili confirmed that that the Chief Officers reported back at work Tuesday morning as directed by the court but were asked to go back on November 28 this year to know their fate.
Before their return next Tuesday, Owili said the County’s legal team will deliberate on the court ruling which will determine if the Officers will be hired back or be paid off for the remaining time of their tenure and new ones contracted.
When the officers were sent on compulsory leave, they were ordered to hand over to their respective directors department who are now acting Chief Officers.
Most of the officers have their contract running up to 2019.