“Explain Now” Atandi Confronts Governor Orengo on Why He Sacked 380 Health Staff in Siaya County

Siaya Governor James Orengo has come under sharp criticism from Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi after the county government terminated the contracts of more than 380 health workers.

The decision sparked outrage among residents and leaders who accused the county of mistreating workers who had already served for several months.

Speaking on Tuesday, Atandi demanded that Governor Orengo give a clear explanation for the mass dismissal.

He described the move as unfair and said it pointed to deeper problems in the county’s administration.

According to the county government, the health workers were dismissed after irregularities were discovered in their employment records.

County Public Service Board CEO Wilfred Nyagudi revealed that some appointment letters carried suspicious dates, while others showed deployment before actual hiring.

He added that all genuine documents should have been signed by the county’s chief officer of health, but many letters in circulation were forged.

Out of the 385 workers affected, only 120 were confirmed as legitimate employees. The remaining staff were ordered not to return to work, with their salaries left in limbo.

Atandi, however, rejected this explanation, saying the county had failed to act responsibly.

He argued that dismissing people after eight months of service without proper warning was not only unjust but also a clear sign of corruption during recruitment.

“We want to see action from the governor. Those who took money from desperate job seekers and issued fake letters must face the law. People cannot be allowed to work for months, only to be told they are not eligible,” Atandi said.

The MP further called for investigations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to establish who orchestrated the scandal.

He insisted that the governor should assert his authority by punishing senior county officials involved in the fraudulent recruitment.

Residents have also expressed frustration, noting that health services in Siaya are already strained and losing hundreds of workers will only make matters worse.

This controversy has placed Governor Orengo under intense pressure as he seeks to defend his administration against accusations of corruption, poor management, and disregard for workers’ rights.