Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja.
Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja Keroche’s office has been rocked by allegations of financial mismanagement and mistreatment of employees, prompting investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC).
Staff members have raised multiple concerns, including underpayment of salaries, wrongful terminations, and mistreatment which have now escalated into legal battles and investigations.
Staff members claim they were paid significantly lower than the amounts stipulated in their contracts.
Some employees were reportedly receiving only half of their contracted salaries with some even going without pay altogether.
For instance, employees who had signed contracts for salaries of Sh25,000 were receiving only Sh11,000 monthly.
Other grievances include the unlawful termination of contracts with no reasons provided for some dismissals, such as that of Nancy Wanjama, a gardener contracted for 60 months starting October 1, 2022.
Ms Wanjama was reportedly given a backdated termination letter with no explanation for her dismissal.
“My complaint is that I received a backdated termination letter that gave no reason for my termination, and when I inquired from the agent, he did not have any answer,” Ms Wanjama said.
Her grievances were raised in letters sent to the PSC through the Senate Clerk, seeking intervention to resolve alleged unfair labour practices.
In addition to underpayment and wrongful termination, employees also complained of mistreatment, particularly female staff members who faced verbal abuse and physical mishandling.
The issues have further highlighted what the staff described as a toxic working environment, with many employees reporting a sense of fear and duress in their workplace.
In addition to the employment issues, Ms Karanja’s office has been accused of misappropriating public funds.
Two residents, Benson Macharia and Sangale Ole Nasieku, have filed a petition claiming that Sh8.3 million allocated to Ms Karanja’s office was misused.
The funds, according to the petitioners, were meant for various operational costs but were allegedly diverted for unauthorised use.
The funds in question include Sh2.1 million earmarked for salaries, Sh2.27 million for public engagement, Sh2.33 million for research and training, and Sh1.6 million for printing and advertising.
Mr Macharia, in his affidavit, accused Karanja and others in her office of collusion and fraud.
“The Senator colluded with other respondents to illegally perpetrate deceit, frauds, and misuse of public funds,” Mr Macharia stated.
The petitioners have requested that the Clerk of the Senate be prevented from releasing further funds to the senator’s office until a thorough, independent audit of the accounts is completed.
They are also seeking to have the senator’s office bank accounts frozen to ensure accountability for the alleged misappropriation.
In response to the allegations, Senator Keroche has shifted the blame to her former office manager Samuel Nderitu who she claims is responsible for the issues with her staff.
According to her, Nderitu’s resignation was a result of his failure to address the complaints and discrepancies in her office.
A letter from Ms Keroche to the Senate Clerk dated September 17 outlines several problems discovered after Mr Nderitu’s departure.
These included unresolved payroll issues, failure to update employee records, and the withholding of salaries for oversight personnel for over six months.
She sought advice on how to resolve these issues and process the termination of staff as per the law.
“Even though Mr Samuel Nderitu resigned on account of prolonged illness, which made it difficult for him to perform his duties to the standard expectations, the new management has discovered some discrepancies which I seek your legal opinion on the same,” Senator Keroche’s letter stated.
Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula has appointed an arbitration panel to address the disputes.
In a letter seen by Nation, the Clerk of the Senate JM Nyegenye communicated Mr Wetangula’s decision to form a three-member committee to hear and resolve the issue.
The committee members include Rachel Ameso, Nyandarua Woman Representative Faith Gitau, and Senator Johnson Muthama.
“Pursuant to clause 9 of the Employment contracts between employees of the Nakuru Senate office, Nakuru County, of various dates and the complainants' letter dated October 24, the Speaker of the National Assembly has appointed members to the arbitration panel to hear and determine the employment dispute between the Nakuru County Senate office and Senator Tabitha Karanja,” the communique read.
