The governor Abdi Hassan Guyo led Isiolo county administration’s raw nerve was exposed by the unprecedented leakage of the staff payroll private data exposing internal gaps in data management amid growing backlash from the affected employees.
Fears are also rife that the leaked data could expose the Isiolo county staff members to grave risks from fraudsters and other safety and security ills.
The data was leaked on Friday last week, October 25, 2024.
Today Isiolo County Secretary and Head of Public Service Dadhe Boru, while addressing journalists sought to reassure workers that their privacy and data integrity even as Isiolo Deputy Governor James Lowasa, in a sharp contradiction, claimed that the leaked document is not official.
Boru said that investigations were ongoing to determine the source of the leak and to take legal action against anyone found responsible.
“The protection of our staff’s privacy remains paramount.” Dadhe said
The leaked document contains the names and gross monthly salaries of all county government employees, raising significant concerns over data privacy as envisioned in the Data Protection Act of 2019.
Dadhe said the county administration is committed to addressing the breach.
He urged both employees and the public to remain calm as the investigations continue.
“We are intensifying our efforts to protect personal data and to hold accountable those responsible for this violation.” Dadhe said.
The county is also conducting a special audit of its payroll system to identify any ghost workers and verify the academic credentials of employees.
Lowasa advised members of the public to be cautious about the information they consume.
“The document in question is not official, and we are still verifying its accuracy.” The Deputy Governor asserted.
Lowasa warned that the leak of sensitive information could destabilise families and communities.
He assured employees that the ongoing investigations aim to uncover the source of the leak and that those found culpable will face the law.
He also called on political leaders to be mindful of their public statements, saying that constructive dialogue is necessary to improve the quality of life for Isiolo residents.
“Leaders need to consult and work together on solutions rather than making inflammatory remarks that do not help our community.” Lowasa said.