Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi and his Deputy Titus Ntuchiu address the press, August 22, 2017. [Photo|Kiraitu Murungi]
Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi, has sent the Acting County Secretary, County Executive Committee Members (CeCs), Chief Officers, Sub-county, Ward and Town administrators on an indefinite leave with immediate effect.The move comes few days, after he was sworn into office, Friday last week, taking over from Peter Munya.Kiraitu who is the immediate Meru senator, said the move aimed to facilitate a smooth process of running the county operations, under his leadership.Addressing the press flanked by his Deputy Titus Ntuchiu and a number of religious leaders in the county, Kiraitu said he plans to commence a clean-up exercise targeting the county's Human Resource and Financial Departments. He further indicated that his government hds already asked the Office of the Auditor General, to undertake a financial audit exercise immediately, targeting the two departments."During the session, we have communicated our desire to commence a clean-up exercise targeting the HR and financial departments. To this end, we have asked the Office of the Auditor General to undertake a financial audit exercise immediately," he said, Tuesday.
Kiraitu however assured the county staff that they would be treated fairly and professionally without witch hunt.This even as the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu), through Secretary General Francis Atwoli, warned governors against threatening and sacking county employees.Atwoli raised concerns that the newly-elected governors have been sacking employees who are perceived to be their opponents in the just concluded elections.He said Cotu would deal firmly with such governors, including taking them to Court and fining them hefty penalties.