A silent war has emerged within the county government of Nyamira after it emerged that over 1,000 employees had their salaries frozen due to suspected illegal employment.

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Last month, Governor John Nyagarama launched payroll audit which has so far exposed a secret employment scheme orchastrated by senior government officials who are closely related to the governor.

"The payroll purge is unstoppable. I'll ensure that only genuine employees get their dues. Those affected must explain how they maneuvered to the payroll undetected," said Nyagarama.

Last week, the committee handed over findings to the governor before he authorised payments for genuine workers. The committee exposed over 1,000 people who were reportedly irregularly employed.

Nation journalist Nyambega Gisesa says over Sh24 million was saved in the payroll purge, adding that the governor should now question those who sneaked people to the payroll without due process.

"I want to thank the governor for saving over Sh24 million in the payroll purge. We now want him to bring to justice those behind the scheme of recruiting their concubines. That must happen soonest."

But the exercise has created huge divisions with senior officials accusing their colleagues of witch-hunt. An official who spoke in confidence accused the authorities of targeting low cadre officers, adding that the move is unacceptable.

"How do you just target low cadre officers whose salaries cannot affect the huge wage bill? Let them handle irregular promotions and appointments. Let them deal with huge salaries paid to health workers. We can't allow them to intimidate low ranking officers," he said.

But the governor has insisted that he will not retreat, adding that he will handle all the wrongs and impunity indiscriminately for the sake of his dandling legacy bid.

"A wrong is a wrong no matter how you justify it. If the law wasn't followed, you'll not be spared. We must ensure that justice prevails and that of the rule. We shall not sit back and watch things going South," he told the press last week.

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