The ongoing payroll purge within the county government of Nyamira may have caused a craft that cannot be mended any soon, it has been established.
Governor John Nyagarama sent several payroll officers to a compulsory leave, a move that paved way for crackdown against thousands of people believed to have been recruited illegally.
Last week, Governor Nyagarama put a brave face despite reported divisions within his government, that has seen him fallout with a once close confidant, who he has since transferred.
"I will not move back. Those who were recruited irregularly ought to explain. We withheld their salaries to pave way for investigations," he said in reference to over 1000 workers who missed April salary.
He added: "From today, all ministers must leave their offices and go to the field. I want to see things moving on the ground. Time to work is now or never."
A source privy to ongoing internal crisis confided that a top aide (name withheld), confronted the governor over the payroll purge, arguing that enforcement officers should have not been targeted.
The aide who controls most of the government operations due to his closeness with the governor, no longer picks calls from his boss following their fallout.
"The governor has tried to reach him but he doesn't pick calls. He has vowed to frustrate his boss. He's bitter over the payroll purge. We have information that most of those who were affected were recruited by him," said the source in confidence.
The aide, who the governor partly owes his reelection success, and another top official, are said to be beneficiaries of irregular recruitment process in the county.
And with their involvement, the governor is keen to get formal explanation from them, a move that has been frustrated by the aide.
Recently, the source says, Governor Nyagarama had to use a phone for another aide to reach him, but he immediately hung up when he heard the governor's voice from the other side.
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