By Rhayan Kanyandong
County Government of Siaya, through the Department of Governance, Administration and ICT, has intensified efforts to address salary delays and challenges in the allocation of Personal File (PF) numbers for both new and existing employees following a consultative meeting with representatives of the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM).
The meeting was chaired by the Chief Officer for Governance and Administration, Hon. Walter Okelo, and brought together the Chief Officer for Health and Sanitation, Dr. Omondi Owino, alongside the Director of Human Resource Management, Madam Susan Rabah, the Director of Governance, Mr. George Okello, and heads of the Administration department.
The discussions focused on key workforce and systemic challenges affecting service delivery across the county, with particular emphasis on salary delays, Personal File (PF) number allocation for both new and existing employees, and broader human resource management concerns.
Central to the deliberations were delays in salary payments, challenges in processing Personal File (PF) numbers, and wider administrative and systemic issues, which KNUNM identified as key contributors to payroll inefficiencies. While nurses and midwives have been significantly affected, it was acknowledged that these challenges cut across multiple departments within the county government, affecting overall service delivery, recruitment processes, and staff welfare.
In public service administration, Personal File (PF) numbers refer to unique identification numbers assigned to employees for payroll processing, employment record management, and pension tracking. Delays in their allocation have continued to hinder timely onboarding of new employees and smooth salary processing for both new and existing staff.
The Director of Human Resource Management Madam Susan Rabah, together with the Director of Governance, Mr. George Okello, presented a detailed progress report on the issues raised. The report outlined ongoing administrative and system interventions aimed at resolving salary delays and streamlining the allocation of Personal File (PF) numbers for both new and existing employees. It was further noted that annual salary increments have been factored into the County Government of Siaya budgets for the Financial Years 2025/2026 and 2026/2027, as part of efforts to improve staff welfare, motivation, and retention in the public service.
The county government further emphasized that these interventions are anchored in the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, particularly Article 41 on fair labour practices and timely remuneration, Article 201 on transparency, accountability, and prudent use of public resources, Article 232 on the values and principles of public service, and Article 235 on county public service human resource management. The interventions are also guided by the County Governments Act, 2012, the Public Finance Management Act, 2012, the Employment Act, 2007, and the Labour Relations Act, 2007, which collectively provide the legal framework for payroll administration, public financial management, and structured engagement with employee unions.
Speaking on behalf of KNUNM, the Chairperson of the Union, alongside the Union Secretary, Mr. Kennedy Hamisi, noted that delayed salaries and delays in PF number allocation for both new and existing staff remain major concerns for health workers.
They emphasized that these challenges have negatively impacted staff welfare, recruitment processes, morale, and service delivery, particularly in health facilities across the county. The union leaders called for urgent administrative action to eliminate the bottlenecks affecting payroll processing and onboarding of employees.
In response, Hon. Walter Okelo assured the union that the County Government of Siaya is actively implementing corrective measures to resolve salary delays and streamline the allocation of Personal File (PF) numbers for both new and existing employees. He reaffirmed the county’s commitment to ensuring that no employee is disadvantaged due to administrative or system-related delays.
A comprehensive response from the Human Resources and Governance departments was also presented, detailing ongoing reforms aimed at improving efficiency in payroll processing, reducing delays, and strengthening coordination between key departments involved in human resource management.
He further noted that the county is aligning its human resource and payroll systems with national government platforms, including the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Database (IPPD), the Human Resource Information System (HRIS), and the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS). This integration is expected to enhance transparency, strengthen accountability, improve onboarding processes, and ensure timely and accurate salary payments.
The meeting also addressed the need to fast-track the allocation of Personal File (PF) numbers for newly recruited staff and the establishment of a County Pension Fund for employees, in line with guidance and advisory from the Council of Governors encouraging counties to adopt structured pension schemes to enhance long-term employee welfare and financial sustainability.
County officials emphasized that these reforms are aimed at strengthening service delivery, improving public sector efficiency, and safeguarding the welfare of employees through timely salary processing, structured salary progression, and streamlined human resource systems.