Kisii County Governor Paul Simba Arati has expressed concern over exaggerated employment in the county’s directorate of fleet management.

Governor Simba pointed out that the directorate has a total of 256 drivers against 82 vehicles saying it was worrying that at least 174 drivers are not assigned duties despite being fully county employees.

In a meeting with a section of the county staff at the Agriculture Training Center (ATC) grounds, the Governor also pointed out that the county has in the past years employed 72 plant operators against five machines.

“This is a sickening act. I came here expecting to meet all the 256 drivers against the 82 vehicles. Are some of the drivers passengers in those vehicles? Are they really drivers? They are drawing salaries that can be diverted to other departments offering essential services,” lamented Governor Simba.

The Governor at the same time pointed out that records show that the department has been procuring comprehensive insurance for county motor vehicles though the vehicles have third party insurance covers.

“The County Executive Committee (CEC) member in charge of Finance and Economic Planning has confirmed that the department has been paying comprehensive insurance yet the vehicles are insured under the third party. This is risking the lives of these drivers. Who is diverting the money for insurance and to where? Some people must be prosecuted over this issue,” said Simba.

The Governor demanded to know the status of all vehicles including those grounded and in various garages within and outside the county.

He said that it was a new dawn for the county and that all officers must be held accountable in their respective departments.