Garissa: The Garissa County Government has terminated the employment of casual staff at the Masalani Water Supply, leaving them without benefits or explanations for their dismissal. The workers, who had been employed for the past eight years, were asked to vacate the premises immediately.

According to Kenya News Agency, the spokesman for the dismissed workers, whose name remains undisclosed due to concerns of reprisal, stated that 20 casual laborers, including meter readers, guards, and office support staff, were instructed to leave without a chance to discuss the matter with the Director of Water Services, Mr. Daud Mohamed. The directive reportedly came from the County Executive for Water, Ahmed Dagane, and Garissa County Governor, Nathif Jama.

The affected staff, who had served the water supply for up to eight years, are now seeking intervention. The spokesman highlighted that the county administration had recently decided not to directly cover the water supply’s electricity bills, transferring the financ
ial responsibility to the local water station instead.

The workers have made a public appeal to Governor Nadhif Jama and Senator Abdul Mohamed Haji to consider their situation, emphasizing the understaffing issues at the water supply as urban areas in the sub-county rapidly expand. The staff requested that the leaders help reinstate them to their positions, as many of them are the primary earners for their families and face significant financial burdens due to the abrupt job loss.

Attempts by KNA to reach Mr. Noor Mohamed, the Masalani water supply coordinator, for comments were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, Senator Haji was in discussions with local elders in preparation for a public baraza in Masalani and Sangailu divisions in Ijara Constituency, Garissa County.