Columnists

County staff changes should be guided by HR best practices

The recent wave of sackings and suspension of county employees by governors is worrying and an affront to Article 232 of the Constitution on values and principles of public service.

The Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM) is concerned by this trend. Unchecked it will lead to a public service that is politicised and unstable. The cardinal principle of a professionally run public service is one devoid of political intrusion.

Sadly, county governments have chosen a politically- run service. Bearing in mind that Kenyans are not about to abandon high voltage politics laced with nepotism, tribalism, racism and other acts of discrimination, it is time to develop laws aimed at protecting this endangered group of workers.

Like in ancient Egypt where death, burial rituals and preparation of tombs were part of economic activities, Kenya’s political engagement is fast emerging as an “economic” sector with consequential outcome of cannibalising traditional sectors.

How then can we cushion our public service sector employees from this cannibalism? As earlier mentioned, strong legislation is required.

In the meantime, to save thousands of careers in the line of fire, governors ought to reverse any suspension or dismissals taken against these employees whose positions are already secured in their instruments of appointment.

Where action is yet to be taken, governors are invited to consult the IHRM professionals on how to execute such functions in accordance with the law and all existing human resource policies and procedures.

In case a county government finds it necessary to streamline its work force, the IHRM has offered to guide in realisation of this without offending the law and by giving it a human face.

READ: Centre calls for gender balance at county jobs

The concept of devolution and employment of county staff is already misconstrued contrary to the spirit and letter of the Constitution.

The wisdom of Constitution drafters was to empower locals to access job opportunities; this was a remedial measure to rampant unprofessional practices on recruitment that was mainly biased in terms of tribe. The Public Service Commission (PSC) was then the culprit.

Since the promulgation of the Constitution, the PSC has transformed into one of the most professionally managed and run institutions in the country.

The County Public Service Boards have devolved unethical and unprofessional HR practices of the PSC of yesteryears.

The IHRM’s mandate is regulation of standards and practices of human resource management and for that matter, we call for upholding of professionalism in these exercises and as such, we endeavour to offer pro bono services for any county government based on their need and our pool of HR competencies.

Dorcas Wainaina is Executive Director, Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM)