BUNGOMA COUNTY PUBLIC SERVICE BOARD SHOULD WAKE UP AND WORK OUT THINGS AS REQUIRED

 A Call for Accountability: Bungoma County Public Service Board’s Reckless Procedures

The Bungoma County Public Service Board (CPSB) has come under severe scrutiny for its reckless and questionable practices in advertising, interviewing, recruiting, and employing workers. Recent events have shed light on systemic issues within the board, pointing to a deep-seated culture of favoritism, corruption, and inefficiency. This criticism is not unwarranted but rather a necessary call for accountability and reform.
In 2022, the recruitment of village administrators became a focal point of controversy. An investigation revealed that approximately 78 candidates were employed despite not meeting the standard merit criteria. This discovery is deeply troubling, as it suggests that the CPSB has been operating with a blatant disregard for merit-based hiring practices. Favoritism and nepotism seem to have taken precedence over qualifications and competency. Such practices not only undermine the principle of equal opportunity but also erode public trust in the county’s governance.

The situation is equally alarming in the recruitment of medical practitioners. Reports have surfaced indicating that the hiring process was marred by corruption. Positions were allegedly given to individuals who did not meet the necessary qualifications, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the CPSB’s selection procedures. The employment of unqualified medical personnel directly jeopardizes the quality of healthcare services in the county. This malpractice puts lives at risk and diminishes the overall effectiveness of the healthcare system, which is unacceptable and demands immediate rectification.
Furthermore, the ongoing recruitment of Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers has highlighted additional flaws within the CPSB. A case in point is the experience of a teacher who was invited for an interview on May 15, 2024, the very day she was delivering her baby in the hospital. Despite the extenuating circumstances, when she attempted to attend the interview a week later, she was denied the opportunity. To make matters worse, she was reportedly asked to pay Ksh 20,000 to be considered for the position. This incident not only underscores the board’s lack of empathy and flexibility but also points to a pervasive culture of bribery and exploitation. Such practices are not only unethical but also illegal and must be addressed urgently.

These incidents collectively paint a grim picture of the Bungoma County Public Service Board. The board’s reckless procedures and apparent disregard for ethical standards have severely compromised the integrity of the county’s public service. It is evident that the CPSB has failed to uphold the principles of fairness, transparency, and meritocracy, which are crucial for effective governance and public trust.

Given the severity of these issues, it is imperative for the Bungoma County government to take decisive action. The current CPSB should be disbanded and replaced with a new body committed to adhering to the highest standards of public service. This new board should be tasked with reviewing and overhauling the recruitment processes to ensure they are transparent, fair, and based on merit. Additionally, stringent measures must be put in place to prevent any form of corruption or favoritism in future recruitment exercises.

Reforming the CPSB is not just about replacing personnel; it’s about restoring integrity and public confidence in the county’s public service. Bungoma County deserves a public service board that prioritizes integrity, competence, and the public good above all else. Only through such measures can the county begin to rebuild trust with its citizens and ensure that the best-qualified individuals are serving its needs.

The time for complacency is over. The Bungoma County Public Service Board must be held accountable for its failings. The county government has a responsibility to ensure that the CPSB operates transparently and ethically, serving the best interests of the public. Disbanding the current board and implementing rigorous reforms is the only way forward to achieve a fair and effective public service system in Bungoma County.

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