Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire has cautioned members of the newly sworn-in County Public Service Board against engaging in corruption.
She affirmed that those found culpable will not only face dismissal, but also prosecution as her administration seeks to restore confidence of residents with the board with the outgoing one having been tainted by allegations of bribery and nepotism in employment.
Governor Mbarire reported that she had received numerous complaints against the former board from job seekers who had been asked to part with huge sums of money to secure employment slots in the county.
Speaking during the swearing in of the new board on Thursday, the Governor cited a notable case where the County Assembly nullified recruitment of ECDE teachers over irregularities including bribery allegations.
“We believe with this new board, we will see better performance and we have categorically told them we will not accept corruption going forward,” she stated.
She reminded the new team that they carry a heavy responsibility of ensuring transparency, fairness, and accountability in recruitment processes, stressing that the people of Embu deserve nothing less.
The Governor called on the new board members to break away from the negative legacy left by their predecessors and to set a new standard of integrity in human resource management.
She further urged them to handle upcoming recruitments, including the hiring of Chief Officers and ECDE teachers and healthcare workers with utmost diligence and impartiality to restore public confidence.
She also appealed to the board to ensure equitable distribution of employment opportunities considering ethnic and gender balance.
The new board Chair Jim Njoka said they will in the performance of their duties, adhere to the rule of law the constitution, noting that issues of bribery will be a thing of the past.
By Samuel Waititu
