Kenya Plantation & Agricultural Workers Union (KPAWU) has threatened to sue a number of governors whom they have accused of irregularly dismissing county employees.
The union assistant general secretary Meshack Khisa said they were compiling cases against counties who have either sacked or sent their workers on compulsory leave in a move seen as witch-hunting.
Khisa termed the decision on employees as unlawful and uncalled for and warned governors to prepare for a tough legal battle soon.
The official said they were in full support of Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) decision on county management, adding that they will go at any length to defend and protect interests of their members.
“As a Union we are compiling a case against Siaya, Uasin Gishu, Tharaka Nithi and Machakos Counties for suspending workers,” he said.
Khisa said the threat to workers hired by former regimes will be met with a cost, adding that each of the victimized workers has an individual contract of employment with the county government and not former governors.
“The contract is not dictated by loyalty but by clear terms and conditions of employment as set out in their contracts and is governed by strict adherence to Articles 47 and 50 of the Constitution,” the official claimed.
He said the governors have their work cut out which is service delivery, adding that they should not target innocent county staffs who has worked diligently in their areas just because of their political affiliations.
However, the unionist advised county governments to formulate policies aimed at improving service delivery to Kenyans by working together with their workers as stipulated in the law.
Naivasha Professional Association Chief Executive officer Absolom Mukhusi also supported the union move to sue governors saying the law was clear on how human resource should be handled in case of a transition.
Mukhusi accused a section of governors of allegedly usurping powers illegally saying county workers have the right to defend themselves in court.
The Public Service Commission (PSC) has already cautioned new governors against using taxpayers’ money to pay legal costs arising from irregular sackings.
The PSC chairperson Margaret Kobia was recently quoted warning the governors that sacking workers without following legal process will result to unending legal battles and unnecessary legal costs that would easily destabilize human resources in the counties.