Governor John Nyagarama on Thursday stood his grounds, accusing county legislators of using intimidations and blackmail on sensitive matters.

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In a letter from Speaker Moffat Teya on Wednesday, MCAs demanded that the county boss reinstates at least 500 ECDE teachers who had their contracts ended.

The 500 teachers have been out of service, even with claims that their salaries were budgeted for in 2019/20. Their contracts ended in May.

In the letter, Speaker Teya demanded to know who they haven't been reinstated despite resolutions by the county assembly.

"Note that verification was done by CPSB. Should you fail to reinstate them, the assembly will not vet all your Chief Officers. Also, we shall immediately start impeachment process."

Nine people had been forwarded to the assembly for vetting as Chief Officers, an operation which could now stall yet again due to the standoff.

But in response, Nyagarama on Thursday dismissed the threats, insisting that the teachers will have to be vetted afresh to ascertain a number of issues.

"If you want an impeachment, bring it on. You cannot intimidate and blackmail me. The fact remains that we must do proper verification before reinstating anyone.

"Currently, education minister Gladys Momanyi is at TSC in Nairobi. We must establish if they are registered," he said.

Also to be investigated are whether their academic credentials are suitable. There were claims that some are still to finish college studies.

Governor Nyagarama is fighting ballooning wage bill, with over Sh4.8 billion now being used for recurrent expenditure. 

Early this year, over 1000 employees were expunged from the payroll after it emerged that they were fraudulently recruited.

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