Kang’ata Freezes Hiring Amid Fears of Countrywide Job Losses

The Kenya Times ~ Trending, Breaking News and Videos

Kang’ata Freezes Hiring Amid Fears of Countrywide Job Losses

Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata has addressed growing concerns across the country over possible job losses as devolved governments move to comply with a High Court directive capping how much they can spend on salaries.

In a statement on February 12, 2026, the Kang’ata assured the public that no employee will be fired, stressing that everyone currently on the payroll remains secure.

“Murang’a County Government assures all current county employees that their jobs are protected,” said the statement.

Muran’ga Dismisses Layoff Reports

The County acknowledged the growing worry, noting that ongoing reports of possible layoffs in other counties have caused anxiety among workers nationwide.

However, Kang’ata moved to allay the fears, saying it will not resort to sacking staff to meet the wage‑bill requirements.

Instead, the County emphasized that while the law demands reduced personnel costs, it intends to comply without sending any workers home.

As part of efforts to control spending, Murang’a County has imposed a temporary freeze on hiring.

Also Read: Court Suspends Hiring of Senior School Teachers in Select Counties

This means the County will not hire new staff for now, except for a few essential workers needed to open and operate several public health facilities that have been built but are not yet operational due to staffing shortages. The County says this move will help manage costs without cutting jobs.

“To maintain fiscal discipline, the County will implement a hiring freeze, read part of the statement.

Revenue Growth Over New Taxes

Instead of cutting jobs or introducing new taxes, the County plans to raise more revenue by improving how it collects money. This will be done by automating revenue systems, closing loopholes that lead to revenue loss, and strengthening compliance. The County stressed that it will not increase taxes or impose new charges on residents.

Rationalisation of Advertised Positions

The County has also announced that some job adverts and ongoing interviews will be reduced or paused. Only the positions needed to open already completed health facilities will continue.

These facilities were built with public funds but remain closed because they lack staff. The facilities that will now be prioritised for staffing include Mabae Dispensary in Gatanga, the new ward at Kandara Hospital, Kigumo Karinga Dispensary, Kanamgo Dispensary in Kenol, Maragwa, Gituti Dispensary in Kiharu, Ngenda Dispensary in Kangema, and Nyakanja Hospital in Mathioya.

Also Read: County Governments Announce School Scholarships for Grade 10 Learners

The County says leaving these buildings unused would be a waste of public money, so they must be opened to serve the community.

“These facilities were constructed using public resources and must be activated to serve wananchi,” the statement said.

Murang’a County remains committed to being responsible with public funds, protecting jobs, improving service delivery, and following the law. The County assured residents that the changes being made are being handled carefully and in the best interest of the public.

Why the High Court Issued the Directive

The High Court issued the order after finding that many counties were spending too much of their budgets on salaries, leaving too little for essential services such as healthcare, development projects, and the maintenance of public infrastructure.

The law requires counties to keep their personnel costs at no more than 35 percent of their total revenue.

Since most counties exceeded this limit, the Court gave them a three‑year window to bring their wage bills back under control. The goal is not to force counties to fire workers, but to ensure that public money is used responsibly and that counties can still deliver services effectively in the long run.

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This post Kang’ata Freezes Hiring Amid Fears of Countrywide Job Losses first appeared on The Kenya Times ~ Trending, Breaking News and Videos and is written by Mary Wanjohi