This archive report was first published on 14 January 2020.
January 14, 2020, marked the beginning of a new era of irregular hiring at Vihiga County government, with the secret transfer of senior officers from other counties.
According to sources, the county has been employing relatives of powerful chief officers, including Chief Officer Pamella Busungu, in promoted positions without going through proper procedures.
One such staff member is Henry Anjila, who was employed as a principal livestock officer in May 2019, despite his position not being advertised for competitive sourcing.
Busungu approved Anjila's application, which was sent to illegally acting County Secretary Philip Gavuna, on March 11, 2019, confirming the availability of a vacant position for a livestock production officer.
However, the process was not without controversy, with County Public Service Board CEO John Naviava writing to Gavuna and Busungu urging them to absorb Anjila into the county public service payroll, despite knowing that the position required advertisement, short-listing, and interviews.
Public Service and Administration Executive Paul Mbuni started an inquiry into the process in July 2019, after Anjila had been on payroll for two months, and his pay was stopped since then.
County Attorney Stella Orengo later enquired with the Public Service Commission if the transfer could be reversed, but was told there is no such thing as inter-county transfers, and everyone is supposed to apply for positions only if advertised.
Despite the controversy surrounding his employment, Busungu is keen on making sure Anjila is brought back to the payroll and has even promised to pay him manually for the months he has worked without pay.
Currently, she takes him whenever there may be per diems, which he earns more than what his salary is, in a given month.
Luanda MP Chris Omulele has accused the county of losing millions of shillings in such cases where people go to court and are awarded millions of shillings, which are shared by some well-connected individuals.
