Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko Accused of Illegal Job Re-designation Scheme
By THEDISPATCH.DIGITAL REPORTER
Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko has been accused of orchestrating an illegal scheme aimed at forcing permanent employees hired during former Governor Okoth Obado’s administration to resign through a fraudulent re-designation process. This scheme, reportedly implemented by Ayacko’s American County Secretary, Oscar Olima Obondo, with the support of senior county officials, threatens the jobs of many workers.
Reliable sources reveal that the scheme involves employees being coerced or blackmailed into signing blank forms that supposedly “request” their re-designation. These forms are later used to justify their termination for occupying non-existent positions within the County Public Service under the County Governments Act of 2012.
Obondo, an American from Dallas, Texas, with no experience in Kenya’s Civil Service, allegedly forced employees into a meeting in June 2024and threatened them with unspecified action if they did not comply with his directives. During this meeting, senior county officials pressured the workers to sign forms that allowed the County Government to “re-designate” them without any valid justification.
Testimonies from Employees
Employees who spoke to THEDISPATCH.DIGITAL recounted being called into meetings where they were threatened by Obondo. He accused them of not supporting Ayacko’s administration, which is frequently criticized for lacking focus and a clear development agenda for Migori. Obondo labeled the employees as enemies of Ayacko, accusing them of sabotaging the administration.
Obondo reportedly blamed Dr. Joshua Ongwara, former Chief of Staff under Obado, for misappropriating funds intended to placate local youth during Ayacko’s visit to Uriri Constituency to attend two funerals a the home of Obado’s former PA, Caspal Obiero. After Ayacko was heckled and threatened at funerals, county employees from Uriri were summoned and accused of endangering the governor’s life by allegedly enabling public hostility.
In response to these accusations, Ayacko directed Ongwara’s immediate dismissal from his position. Similarly, a Ward Administrator in Suna West Constituency was demoted and transferred for allowing local MP Peter Masara to speak at a funeral, despite being instructed to physically prevent Masara from addressing the gathering.
Creation of Illegal Positions
To execute their scheme, Obondo and his associates have allegedly created illegal positions of “Principal Administrative Officers” without the approval of a legally appointed County Public Service Board. They pressured Ward and Sub County Administrators to sign forms authorizing their re-designation to these positions. Experts warn that accepting such re-designations would result in dismissal when audits reveal the positions as non-existent.
Paul Omondi, an activist, emphasized that the County Government Act of 2012 stipulates that only the County Public Service Board can create positions and manage employment within the county public service. However, Ayacko’s administration has bypassed this by invoking the national Public Service Commission to create illegal positions, laying the groundwork for dismissals. Ayacko, despite court rulings, has refused to recognise the County Public Service Board headed by Jared Opiyo, which is the legally recognised board that should carry out human resource functions in the Migori County Government.
Threats and Coercion
The form circulated by Obondo in June required employees to request re-designation without specifying new positions. Those who refused to sign faced threats of violence from Ayacko’s loyalists. The crudely written form read: “Under the ‘Human Resource Policies and Procedures Manual for the Public Service’ as developed by the Public Service Commission of Kenya (PSC) Part 2 Section B, 21, I hereby make a request to be re-designated from my current position as ___________________ to any other position that the government may deem fit based on my qualification, experience, demonstration of competence, merit, and ability in performance. I hereby commit myself to this new designation by signing below…”
The targeted employees, primarily Ward and Sub County Administrators, were seen as instrumental in helping Okoth Obado retain his seat in 2017 against Ayacko. Activist Paul Omondi criticized Ayacko for not recognizing the existing County Public Service Board, headed by Jared Odhiambo Opiyo. He accused Ayacko of attempting to impose his will undemocratically, serving personal interests rather than the people of Migori.
“Ayacko claims to be a lawyer, but his actions suggest otherwise,” Omondi remarked. “It’s no surprise he has never won a case in a court of law.”
The allegations against Governor Ayacko’s administration highlight a troubling misuse of power and disregard for legal procedures, jeopardizing the livelihoods of county employees and undermining the principles of good governance. The unfolding events call for urgent intervention to ensure the protection of workers’ rights and adherence to constitutional mandates in Migori County.