Senator Tabitha Karanja’s Office Hit by Salary Scandal and Abuse Allegations
Senator Tabitha Karanja Keroche’s Nakuru office has become the epicenter of a scandal involving financial mismanagement and allegations of mistreatment of employees.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) are now investigating claims of underpaid salaries, wrongful terminations, and verbal and physical abuse within the office.
Several staff members have spoken out, asserting that they were paid much less than the amounts stipulated in their contracts. For example, employees who had signed contracts for a salary of Sh25,000 were reportedly receiving only Sh11,000. Some employees even claimed to have gone without pay altogether. “It’s frustrating to work so hard and be paid less than what was agreed upon,” said one anonymous staff member.
One of the most concerning cases involves Nancy Wanjama, a gardener who was hired on a 60-month contract starting October 1, 2022. Ms. Wanjama, who had received a backdated termination letter with no explanation for her dismissal, voiced her grievance: “My complaint is that I received a backdated termination letter that gave no reason for my termination, and when I inquired from the agent, he did not have any answer.” Wanjama, along with other employees, sought help from the PSC in a bid to resolve what they described as unfair labour practices.
The scandal doesn’t end with the mistreatment of employees. Ms. Karanja’s office is also embroiled in a financial controversy. Two residents, Benson Macharia and Sangale Ole Nasieku, have filed a petition accusing the senator of misappropriating Sh8.3 million allocated to her office. The funds were intended for operational costs, but the petitioners claim they were diverted for unauthorized use. Mr. Macharia, in his affidavit, stated, “The Senator colluded with other respondents to illegally perpetrate deceit, frauds, and misuse of public funds.”
Senator Karanja has, however, shifted the blame onto her former office manager, Samuel Nderitu, who she claims was responsible for the issues. In a letter to the Senate Clerk, Karanja detailed several discrepancies discovered after Nderitu’s resignation due to illness. She requested legal advice on resolving the outstanding matters.
In response to the ongoing disputes, Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula has appointed a three-member arbitration panel to address the issues at hand, signaling the seriousness of the situation.
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Senator Tabitha Karanja’s Office Hit by Salary Scandal and Abuse Allegations
