29/07/2025
Senator Lelegwe Denies Senate Involvement in Termination of Samburu Health Casual Workers
Writer: Esekon Moses
Samburu Senator Steve Lelegwe has strongly refuted claims that the Senate played any role in the termination of contracts for casual workers at the Samburu County Referral Hospital.
His response follows an internal memo issued on 29th July 2025 by the County Secretary, Wilson Lesuuda, directing that all casual workers attached to the hospital would have their contracts terminated effective 31st July 2025.
The memo cited “insistent recommendations by the Senate, a resolution by the County Assembly, and correspondences to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) as reasons for the directive" on the termination of the health casual workers.
Senator Lelegwe dismissed the memo’s contents as misleading and an attempt to shift responsibility from the County Executive to the Senate.
"At no time has the Senate, either through a resolution, committee recommendation, or report tabled in the House, issued any directive or recommendation to the Samburu County Government to terminate the contracts of casual health workers. Any attribution to the Senate as the basis for the mass dismissal of these workers is wholly inaccurate and misleading," the Senator said in a statement.
He further clarified that the Senate has not engaged the EACC on any matter concerning casual workers in Samburu’s health department.
"The Senate has not made, directly or indirectly, any submission to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) regarding the employment status or alleged irregularities specific to Samburu County’s health department casual workers," he added.
According to Senator Lelegwe, the role of the Senate has been one of guidance and oversight, insisting that the Senate has been advising the County to adhere to set provisions in recruitment and management of staff including casuals.
"The Senate has consistently advised the County Executive, the County Assembly, and the County Public Service Board (CPSB) of Samburu to adhere to due process and relevant legal provisions in the recruitment, regulation, and management of all staff, including casual workers. This advisory is anchored on constitutional principles of public service and fair labour practices," he noted.
The Senator also emphasized the Senate’s continued commitment to upholding the rights and welfare of the county employees.
"The Senate remains committed to protecting the rights and welfare of all county workers and will continue to exercise its oversight role as mandated under Article 96 of the Constitution," Lelegwe said.
Meanwhile, the directive has left many casual workers uncertain about their future. The affected workers had served as casuals in the County Referral Hospital, supporting critical health services.
