The Member of Parliament for Embakasi East, Babu Owino, has firmly rejected a misleading social media post that incorrectly claimed he advocated for the termination of 3,800 workers employed by the Nairobi City County Government’s Green Army.
The Green Army, part of the Green Nairobi Department, is essential for maintaining cleanliness throughout Nairobi, which includes waste management, public space cleaning, and overall hygiene maintenance of the city. The deceptive post, which spread across social media from an account impersonating Owino’s official profile, alleged that the MP had called for the dismissal of all Green Army employees, labeling them as “ghost workers.” The post, which alluded to a waste management problem near Stima Plaza, stated: “Dismiss all the 3,800 staff in the name of the Green Army; they are ghost workers. We can’t continue to pay ghost workers with taxpayer funds.”
In retaliation, Babu Owino swiftly countered the allegations, voicing his complete support for the Green Army. He articulated his position via his official social media platform, asserting, “The Green Army deserves respect and should receive double the pay they currently earn. Their efforts are immense, yet they receive little in return.” His remarks emphasized his gratitude for the hardworking Green Army employees, who, he insisted, deserve improved compensation.
The false post emerges amidst increased scrutiny of employment practices within Nairobi County. A recent audit report for the 2023/2024 financial year uncovered alarming findings regarding the county’s hiring methods. The report indicated that 3,834 individuals were recruited without adequate advertisement or a transparent hiring process.
It also revealed inconsistencies in salary management, with employee wages being modified several times over the course of the year. Additionally, the Auditor-General expressed concerns about the qualifications of some individuals in senior roles, revealing that the Nairobi County Assembly could not account for over Ksh905 million in public funds, citing unsubstantiated salary advances, unverified travel expenses, and misclassified costs. Moreover, the Assembly neglected to remit statutory deductions amounting to Ksh67 million.
These findings have incited public indignation, leading many to speculate that political factors related to the approaching 2027 elections may be affecting these matters. Despite the controversy surrounding staff management, the contributions of the Green Army to Nairobi’s environmental initiatives have been highly commended, accompanied by calls for enhanced pay and improved working conditions for its dedicated personnel.
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