A former staff member of Homa Bay County Government has been awarded Sh1 million in damages after successfully suing the county for defamation over being wrongly labeled a ghost worker.

Richard Bonyo filed the suit at Oyugis Law Court following the publication of a list in 2024 that included his name among suspected ghost workers. He argued the defamatory allegations severely harmed his reputation and job opportunities after leaving public service.

Background of the Case

Bonyo served as Adviser for Resource Mobilisation under former Governor Cyprian Awiti until his contract ended in September 2022. In 2024, the current administration led by Governor Gladys Wanga initiated a ghost worker purge to reduce the county's inflated wage bill, commissioning Price Waterhouse Coopers to audit the workforce.

Despite being a legitimate employee, Bonyo's name appeared on the ghost worker list attached to an internal letter circulated to county officials. The letter recommended releasing employees whose roles were unclear or unverifiable.

Court Proceedings and Findings

  • Several former county officials, including the ex-County Director of Human Resources and the former Chief of Staff, testified confirming Bonyo's legitimate employment and proper contract completion.
  • The court found that the list was disseminated beyond intended internal recipients, causing public ridicule and emotional distress to Bonyo and his family.
  • Evidence showed the defamatory publication negatively impacted Bonyo’s job prospects, with prospective employers associating him with the ghost worker allegations.
  • The court ruled the county government’s claims were false and malicious, ordering removal of Bonyo’s name from the list and issuance of a public apology.

Legal Orders and Aftermath

Oyugis Resident Magistrate Cynthia Chepkoech Cheruiyot issued a permanent injunction preventing the county from further defamatory publications against Bonyo. The court also mandated the county to expunge his name from all related records.

Bonyo expressed satisfaction with the judgment, emphasizing his priority was clearing his name rather than pursuing higher damages.

This case highlights ongoing efforts by Homa Bay County to address ghost worker fraud, which has previously been reported to cost the county millions annually.