The Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare has summoned Isiolo Governor Abdi Ibrahim Hassan to appear before it on 1st October, 2024, following his failure to attend two prior invitations to respond to a Statement sought by Sen Fatuma Dullo (Isiolo) over recruitment irregularities within the county government.
The Committee, chaired by acting chair Sen Miraj Abdulahi expressed frustration at the Governor’s lack of communication regarding his absence.
“There has been no communication from his office on both occasions. The next logical step is to issue a summons,” stated Sen Crystal Asige, who seconded the proposal.At the heart of the inquiry are concerns over employment practices in Isiolo County. Sen Dullo’s initial request, submitted on 15th February 2024, called on the Governor to provide human resource policies and procedures, a comprehensive list of County Executive and Assembly staff and detailed payroll records.
The Auditor General’s report for the financial year 2022/23 highlighted several discrepancies, including the non-remittance of Kshs 17.9 million in statutory deductions, continued employment of staff beyond the mandatory retirement age of 60, and salary payments to employees outside the Integrated Personnel Payroll Database (IPPD).
These issues, according to the report, present financial risks to the county, increasing pressure on the wage bill and limiting employment opportunities for other qualified candidates.
The Committee is expected to scrutinise the documents requested in Sen Dullo’s statement against the backdrop of these findings.
“The people of Isiolo deserve justice,” said Sen Dullo, attending the Committee as a friend. “Governor Hassan was elected by the people and must be held accountable. Many illegal practices are taking place in the county, and these can only be addressed through transparency and proper oversight.”The Committee first invited Governor Hassan to attend a hearing on 27th August 2024, which he failed to attend, and issued a second invitation for 16th September 2024. On both occasions, there was no communication from the Governor or his office, leading to the current summons.
Under Article 125 of the Constitution, along with sections 18 and 20 of the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act, No. 29 of 2017, the Senate and its Committees have the authority to summon any individual to provide evidence or information.
Should Governor Hassan fail to attend after being summoned, the Committee may impose a fine of up to Kshs 500,000 or order his arrest, as stipulated in sections 19(1) and 19(3) of the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act, 2017.
