The Meru County Government has issued a strong directive cautioning its employees against leaking confidential government information to bloggers and social media users.
In a memo circulated to all county departments, the county administration warned that any staff found sharing internal documents, official communications, or sensitive data without authorization would face disciplinary action, including possible termination and legal prosecution.
The directive, signed by County Secretary Jane Kithinji, emphasized the need to protect the integrity of county operations and maintain public trust in service delivery. “We have noted with concern the rising cases of unauthorized disclosures of government information, which not only undermine our operations but also mislead the public,” read part of the memo.
This move comes amid growing concerns over the spread of unverified and sensitive county information on various online platforms, sparking public debates and sometimes misinformation.
County officials believe that internal leaks have contributed to recent controversies involving budget allocations, staff reshuffles, and procurement processes. The new directive is part of a wider strategy to enforce information security and professionalism within the county’s civil service.
Kithinji urged all staff to adhere strictly to their code of conduct and use proper internal channels to address grievances or concerns, rather than resorting to online leaks.
The county government says it will enhance monitoring mechanisms and introduce stricter access controls on confidential data to curb further breaches.