News Categories: Administration, Public Service and e-Government

The County Executive Committee Member for Administration and Public Service Isaiah Ketter and the Kapsabet Municipality Manager Richard Ngeny received the newly appointed officers, Assistant Director of Administration Enforcement and compliance Stanley Rotich who is taking over from Christopher Biwott and the Chief Administration Officer for Enforcement Nicholas Kigen and Chief Administration Officer Compliance Victor Melly Lulley.

The CEC Member thanked the outgoing Enforcement Director for his professionalism, dedication, diligence and commitment to service and wished him well as he heads to retirement.

Nandi County participates in The Africa and Middle East Regional Meeting for Open Government Partnership (OGP) in Morocco. This forum addresses issues of: Civil participation and collective action in improving public service; safeguarding digital democracy; tackling corruption and barriers to women’s participation in public procurement; raising ambition on access to justice; opening justice for gender equality and women’s political rights; prudent resource utilization, enhancing economic growth and eradication of poverty.

Nandi County joined OGP in 2020 and is currently implementing two commitment areas: Public Participation & Citizen Engagement and Open Contracting & Procurement under the 2021 Action plan.

Nandi’s Deputy Governor H.E Dr. Yulita Mitei together with County Head of procurement Japhet Tirop and the Director public participation- Naomy Keter represented the County in the meeting. Morocco hosts this regional meeting under the Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed IV.

Her excellency also attended high profile round table meetings with Director of OGP Local Mr. Rudi Boorsman and later Amb. Dr. Samori Okwiya CEO NEPAD/ APRM to discussed areas of collaboration and partnerships. OGP is pleased with Nandi’s commitment and the programmes that have been implemented to advance open governance. These programmes are pioneered by the establishment of a Toll Free Call centre (1548).

The 4 day meeting which adjourned today in Marrakech, Morocco brought together member countries in Africa and Middle East that have committed to Open Governance. In their wider discussion, the member nations agreed to strengthen their network, working together, fostering research and innovation, exchange of policies and more so leveraging on existing regional forums to share successes and challenges amongst members.

These fruitful meetings came up with a number of declaration for successful implementation of open governance. These declaration include: Adoption of openness in action plans, promote sharing of good practice, promote publication and sharing of public information, promote dialogue in addressing challenges, raising awarenesses and promoting open governance.

Nandi County recently partnered with Christian Aid-Kenya and National Tax Payers Association in enhancing capacity of communities to strengthen transparency, accountability and public participation in the management of nutrition resources. Other organizations interested in partnerships with Nandi include Open Contracting Partnership Africa and Global Integrity.

Nandi County is pleased to host Open Governance Partnership (OGP), local government exchange and networking convention that is set to take place between 30th November – 3rd December 2021. This comes forth with Nandi county’s appointment to join OGP in 2020, its commitment in integrating openness in governance and the efforts in building an informed citizenry.

The convention brings together delegates from the Counties of Nairobi, Elgeiyo Marakwet, Makueni & Nandi, National government OGP representatives, Open Governance International (OGI), Mzalendo Trust, HIVOS, Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), NTA and Development Gateway.

The county’s key commitment areas include public participation, citizen engagement and open procurement. Rightful consideration of these core areas enhances transparency, accountability and responsiveness.

Nandi is keen in engaging and empowering citizens to directly influence and shape government plans & policies. It’s achieving this through establishment of openness and citizen engagement platforms. These platforms include the toll free County Call Centre (1548) , digitization of government processes and enactment of Nandi County public participation & civic education Act.

Among other guests to grace the event include representatives from CAJ-Ombudsman, Senate, Kenya Space Agency and Office of the Deputy President where OGP is domicile.

Kapsabet municipality hosted officers from Kenya Urban Support Program (KUSP) on a routine assessment mission for the complete and ongoing urban development projects. These projects include Non motorized transport facility, Sewer extension and storm water drainage, Juakali & fabricated shades and Street lighting for 2018/3019 FY as well as the ongoing Road Infrastructural Works for 2019/2020 FY.

Speaking during the meeting, Kapsabet Municipal manager Richard Ng’eny promised  keen supervision of work, progress monitoring and timely completion of the ongoing projects

.

Eng. Charles Mutunga was pleased with the swift progress of the road construction works and further called upon the technical committee to ensure quality work is delivered.

In his address, the Chief Officer for Administration and public Service Feisal Mohammed called upon the general public to give ample time for timely implementation of the projects by the contractor.

He added that the department is finalizing on the plan for the upgrade of Nandi-hills town council to a municipality.

The County Government of Nandi through the Department of Administration & Public Service section is partnering with Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA) and County Pension Fund (CPF) in carrying out continuous capacity building and training on retirement planning for the employees.

The department together with a team of consultants from the partner institutions led by Gladys Cheptoo, CPF Branch Relations- Nandi County, held a retirement planning seminar for employees approaching retirement. This seminar was attended majorly by employees nearing retirement where more than ninety (90) participants were trained.

Among key issues highlighted in the seminar included: personal investment and financial management, psychological & health issues , attitude to new lifestyle as well as proper time management before and after retirement.

In his address during the seminar, the Chief Officer for Administration and public Service Feisal Mohammed called upon all the employees to have a retirement plan early enough so as to secure their lives when time comes. He also emphasized on the need for proper financial management.

Tom Kiptanui- Deputy Manager Market conduct in RBA, spoke on the need for the county’s labor force to get enrolled to a retirement benefit scheme for proper  planning. He also pointed out that RBA is there to advise on matters relating to retirement benefits and more so protect the interest of members and sponsors of retirement benefit schemes.

Ms Vivian Chebii -CPF Regional Manager Eldoret Branch appreciated the cordial relationship between CPF and the county as she further encourages the general work force to join the scheme.

The participants also had an opportunity to interact with John Cheruiyot (retiree) who gave his personal experience on retirement planning and was able to enlighten them on personal investment and financial planning as a retirement preparation strategy.

.

Nandi County’s partnership with Koitaleel Samoei University College is bearing fruits as the university plans to establish Faculty of Agricultural and environmental studies at Kaimosi ATC in Kapkangani Ward- Emgwen Sub County.

The County’s key departments together with the university held a public Participation forum on the consideration, suitability and establishment of the faculty in the facility.
Officials from both the University and the various county departments together with stakeholders engaged the public through consultative sessions and obtained their views & concerns regarding the plan.

Representing the County Secretary, the CECM for Lands, Environment and Natural Resource, Dr. Philemon Bureti, said that the county is pleased to partner with the university in creating more learning opportunities. He further called upon the citizens to support the initiative and promised that inputs and concerns from the public will be taken into consideration.

The Principal, Koitaleel Samoei University College, Prof. Jackson Too expressed his gratitude for the partnership that availed the opportunity to establish one of their faculties. He added that the initiative will help in expanding the university and creating better learning environment.

In attendance were: Ag. CECM for Administration- Drice Rono; Deputy Majority leader and MCA Chepkumia Ward- Wilson Sang; Chief Officers for Education and Vocational training- Scolastica Tuwei and that of Agriculture- Wilson Lelei; MCA Kapkangani Ward- Eliud Kirongo, Director for Public Participation- Naomy Ketter and Principal Kaimosi ATC among others.

The department of Administration Public Service and e-Government welcomed Eng. Drice Rono who will be the acting CECM. This comes in following the secondment of the former CECM Teresa Morogo to Koitalel Samoei University College as the Deputy Registrar- Administration.

In her address during the handing over, the outgoing CECM, Ms Morogo expressed her gratitude for the opportunity given to serve the people of Nandi. On the other hand, Eng. Rono pledged for diligence in discharging his duties to the people of Nandi.

The County Secretary, Dr Francis Sang, who witnessed the handing over, appreciated Ms. Morogo for the good work done. He further called upon the department and the citizens to support the incoming CECM for effective service delivery and governance.

Kapsabet Municipality plans to undertake the second development project since its inauguration in 2018. This proposed infrastructural work is a World Bank funded project under the 2019/2020 FY and the municipality received funds amounting to 126M in December 2020

.

Having undergone a complete procurement process, the project has been awarded to Pinnie Agency LTD with Tender no. CGN/KUSP/KM/TND/001/2019-2020. Road reserve clearance notices were issued to the public in March 2021. Project implementation commenced today with site handing over and is expected to be completed in 15 months time.

These infrastructural improvement works involves the tarmacking of feeder roads and re-carpeting of existing road accumulating to 2.6 Km.These roads are: Jean Marie Seroney road, Jua Kali loop, Kokwet Road, Chepcholol and Safari hotel road.

Today the project Committee held a meeting with the contractor, the area MCAs, a representation of municipal board, Sub county and Ward Administrators.
Speaking during the site handing over, the CO for Administration, Feisal Mohammed called upon the contractor and project Committee to work diligently and with speed for timely achievement of this project.

The MCA for Kapsabet Ward, Hon. Fred Kipkemboi expressed his gratitude for the consideration of this project highlighting the need for quality and speedy work. Hon Fred Further encouraged the contractor to employ county residents during project implementation. He added that this project will greatly improve mobility and business accessibility in town.

Kapsabet Municipality’s Principal engineer, Eng. Hillary Koech promised keen supervision for quality works. He further called upon the public to give ample time and support to the contractor for efficient implementation of the project.

Public engagement and full consideration of people’s input in governance and decision making has had a great impact in development and  a satisfied citizenry. This openness and participation improves relationships and trust between decision-makers, the public and among different stakeholders.

The county government of Nandi has always endeavored to involve the citizens in all its plans and programs. It has achieved this through the implementation of various strategies such as establishment of public participation and civic education unit, Public participation and civic education act, toll free Call Centre and continuous sensitization of the public to give their views.

The county public participation and civic education unit in partnership with Kenya school of Government-Baringo, held a sensitization program on public participation for the Sub County Administrators and Community Vocal Persons from the wards countywide.

During the sensitization forum led by Dr. Michael Ang’anyo from Kenya school of Government, the session tackled matters concerning the importance of public participation, prerequisites to effective public participation, role of key actors in public participation, budget making cycle, legal framework and challenges to effective participation.

In her address during the sensitization forum the county director for public participation, Naum Keter highlighted that these Community vocal persons from the various wards will in turn sensitize the citizens on the need to take part in government plans, programs and projects. She further calls upon the citizens to make use of the toll free county call centre, 1548.

Nandi County recognizes children’s rights, fights for their space and has always championed for child protection to ensure that their rights & dignity is upheld.

It has championed for this through the Toll Free Call Centre 1548 where members of the public can call and raise issues surrounding child protection. The call center has also raised awareness on child protection through outbound calls and SMS to the general public.

This comes in timely as the African continent celebrates Day of the African Child, 2021 themed “30 years after the adoption of the Charter: accelerate the implementation of Agenda 2040 for an Africa fit for children”.

The county is partnering with Childline Kenya (116) www.childlinekenya.co.ke in creating awareness and optimizing access to child protection services as well as strengthening response to reported cases. Child Helpline 116 – Kenya

According to Emily Bett, the Call Centre Manager, Nandi county call centre has in the recent past handled over 50 cases of child related issues. She calls upon the citizens to protect children’s rights and make use of the TOLL FREE 1548 adding that the County Government of Nandi is always ready to listen and handle any issues raised.

We celebrate Kenyan Children.