Murang’a County Assembly calls for filling of 201 job vacancies

The Murang’a County Assembly has urged the County Public Service Board (CPSB) to urgently recruit 201 officers to address severe staffing shortages affecting key public services. During a session on Tuesday, Kagundu-ini MCA Samson Mukora presented a report showing that the vacancies resulted from natural attrition over several years. He warned that the gaps, particularly in health facilities and Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres, are undermining service delivery across the county.
Mukora highlighted that many essential workers retired, passed away, or left their jobs, yet their positions were never filled. He cited Ndakaini Dispensary as a telling example, where the maternity unit only operates during daytime due to a shortage of nurses and clinical officers. To prevent recurring disruptions, he urged the CPSB to create a replacement policy within 90 days to ensure timely hiring whenever employees exit. The assembly further pointed out that departments offering essential services should be prioritised during recruitment.
Kangema MCA Moses Muchiri echoed the urgency, calling for the removal of age limits in the hiring process and proposing that next of kin of deceased or retired county staff be considered for employment where they meet the qualifications. He argued that qualified individuals should not be locked out due to age and that supporting affected families could help sustain livelihoods while preserving institutional knowledge. Muchiri also emphasised the need for the board to adopt fair, transparent, and merit-based recruitment practices as it moves to fill the 201 positions.
Going forward, the assembly hopes the CPSB will begin the recruitment process promptly to stabilise operations in health centres, ECDE institutions, and other essential county departments. MCAs noted that improving staffing levels will not only boost service delivery but also restore public confidence in the county administration’s ability to meet residents’ needs. The Board is expected to issue a progress update in the coming weeks as pressure mounts for decisive action.