A formal complaint submitted to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has raised concerns over alleged irregularities in the recruitment of health workers by the Mandera County Public Service Board under the leadership of Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif.
The complaint, dated 1 April 2025, cites discrepancies between the number of advertised positions and those ultimately filled, raising questions about transparency and adherence to public service recruitment guidelines.
According to the complaint, while the board initially advertised a limited number of vacancies, the number of successful recruits far exceeded the original allocations.
Among the cited cases, the board reportedly recruited 11 Chief Nutrition Officers despite advertising only one position, while the Principal Nutrition Officer cadre saw at least eight appointments against a single advertised slot.
Similarly, the Senior Assistant Community Health Officer category saw ten recruits against two openings, and an Assistant Director position meant for one candidate was filled by six people.
The complainant, who signed off as “A Concerned Resident,” argues that these discrepancies point to possible corruption, favouritism, or abuse of office, as they undermine meritocracy and accountability in public appointments.
Further concerns have emerged over a subsequent recruitment of health workers for the 2024/2025 financial year.
Despite the appointments being made within the current budget cycle, those selected were reportedly informed that their reporting date would be 1 July 2025, effectively shifting their salaries to the 2025/2026 budget.
This raises questions about what happened to the budgetary allocation for the 2024/2025 recruitment exercise and whether due process, including public participation and legal approvals, was followed before committing funds for the next financial year.
The complaint has put Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif’s administration under scrutiny over the management of public service recruitment.
The complainant has called on the EACC and the Commission on Administrative Justice (Ombudsman) to investigate these allegations and ensure that public service recruitment adheres to established guidelines.
The EACC has officially received the complaint, and it remains to be seen what action will be taken.
