The Siaya County Assembly is setting up a rare emergency sitting following calls by Governor James Orengo for urgent deliberations amid a series of irregular recruitments reportedly carried out in the county government.
In fact, a gazette notice dated December 5 announced that both morning and afternoon sessions of the Assembly would take place on Tuesday, December 9, emphasizing just how grave the concerns raised were over hiring in the county.
“Pursuant to Standing Order No. 26 of the County Assembly of Siaya Standing Orders, it is notified for the information of Members of the County Assembly and the general public that there will be special sittings (Morning and Afternoon) of the County Assembly… on Tuesday, 9th December, 2025,” the notice read.
The morning session, starting at 10:00 a.m., has been reserved for debate on a motion investigating illegal contract extensions and a string of acting appointments in the county public service. Members are expected to interrogate what they describe as a pattern of hurried and opaque decisions that may have compromised both procedure and integrity.
Among issues likely to dominate debate is the conduct and suitability of Acting County Executive Committee Member for Finance, Economic Planning and Vision 2030, George Nying’iro, whose actions have come under scrutiny amid the ongoing controversy.
Later in the day, Governor Orengo will deliver his State of the County Address, a speech that many analysts anticipate to address the administration’s response to the recruitment scandal, with steps toward how to restore public confidence.
The emergency sitting follows explosive disclosures from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission that accused the Siaya County Public Service Board of irregularly recruiting over 500 health workers. The hires, according to EACC officials, were done without proper authorization or following due process, which raises questions on transparency and oversight.
Investigators also alleged that some applicants were asked to pay bribes of between KSh300,000 and KSh350,000 in exchange for appointment letters. Preliminary findings have also indicated that the number of workers hired exceeds the number of vacancies approved by the county government, a fact that has fuelled fears of ghost workers within the system.
In September, the EACC’s Nyanza Region Commissioner Abraham Kemboi confirmed that a comprehensive probe had been launched. However, he noted that investigations had been slowed by limited cooperation from key officials within the county administration.
The scandal had been gaining momentum. In October, Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga raised the matter on the floor of the Senate during the first sitting held after the passing of his brother, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
He told lawmakers that whereas only 120 positions had been advertised, the Public Service Board reportedly issued more than 700 appointment letters. With public attention increasing and questions of accountability mounting, Tuesday’s emergency sitting is expected to bring new clarity or even deeper questions about the recruitment processes in Siaya County.
