There was jubilation in Nyeri County among 377 County Staff members after the County government, confirmed them to permanent and pensionable terms.
The employees who have been serving in various County government departments, received their appointment letters during a ceremony held at the Nyeri Cultural Centre, Friday.
Nyeri Governor, Dr Mutahi Kahiga, said that the move is part of the county’s ongoing efforts to improve staff morale and strengthen service delivery in the County departments.
Dr Kahiga said that the review of employment terms, would end the staff’s uncertainty of working under contract terms.
“Having looked at the civil service and how we need to build on our experiences, we realized that our staff were only working for one year, out of the three-year contract.
The first year was spent looking for the job, the second was spent working, while the third year was spent looking for another job because there was so much uncertainty,” explained Dr Kahiga.
“And, therefore, we agreed that employees need permanency, they need to be focused. The reason we have given them permanent status is that it will help them to plan their future. They will be confident and they will continue to work for the people of Nyeri, as they have continued to do,” added the Governor.
The staff will receive enhanced salaries in line with the 2024 Salaries and Remuneration Commission, remuneration and benefits circular for County government employees.
Dr Kahiga said the salaries of the newly confirmed staff will be backdated to July 2024, adding plans have also been put in place to confirm the remaining 210 employees, who are on their first contract to permanent terms.
He said that the upgrade will cost the County Sh 250 million to implement. Kahiga said that the move will reduce the county’s wage bill, as the county will save 24 per cent of the money it would have otherwise paid to the staff as gratuity at the expiration of their contracts.
“Nyeri is going to be the first County to implement the SRC salary that was approved last year. We as the Council of Governors at the time really did not have money, because we expected the National government to provide money. But as a County we already made arrangements for that in our budgets and therefore I see no reason why we should not pay,” he said.
Some of the County staff, especially those who hail from different counties, could not hide their joy after receiving their confirmation letters. Stephen Juma, who works in the Department of Health Services, thanked the County government for recognizing his work and rewarding him with a permanent job.
“Today is a special day for me, seeing that we are being translated from contract to permanent and pensionable terms. Unlike other counties that have been witnessing strikes in the health care sector due to delays in payment of salaries, Nyeri County has always ensured that our salaries are up to date, thus ensuring health services go on uninterrupted. This confirmation is a challenge for me as permanent staff, to ensure that I serve my patients well,” he said.
Damaris Nyakiongana who hails from Kisii County and who has been working in Nyeri for the last four years said she was grateful to the Governor for giving her permanent job. She said the new found job security will help her manage her finances in a structured way and improve her efficiency at the workplace.
“I have to confess that Nyeri is one of the counties that has been faithful in transitioning staff who have finished their contracts into permanent terms. I am grateful for this opportunity to serve the people of Nyeri and I promise to serve them with the dignity that they deserve,” she said.
Her sentiments were shared by Collins Kosgei from Nandi County who hailed the County Public Service Board for promoting diversity, while employing.
“I Started as an intern in 2018 and was later absorbed by the County government on contract terms. I have served two consecutive contracts that have ended today and I am happy to have been confirmed as a permanent employee.
This is proof that someone from a different County can actually secure permanent employment away from their home County and I would encourage other counties to emulate what is going on in Nyeri,” he said.
By Wangari Mwangi and Diana Odipo
