News Categories: Administration, Public Service and e-Government

28 Jan
By: Phoebe Jeruto 0

QUARTERLY REVIEW OF THE PERFORMANCE CONTRACTING REPORTS BY COUNTY DIRECTORS

Performance contract is a tool for managing performance by all government entities in ensuring effective service delivery. Having a Performance Contracting Unit(PCU) in place, Nandi is one of the counties that have implemented this and is therefore following suit to ensure that targets are set and departments work towards achieving them.

The unit which is domicile in Public Service Sub-sector is keenly fast-tracking this to ensure that the intervention is on track, the projects/programs are operating as intended, resources are deployed as planned and that the program is achieving the set objectives. It also stresses that at the end of the financial year, every department need the asses and take stock of every program/ project.

Today the County Performance Contracting unit held meeting with the directors and Sub-county administrators to evaluate on their performance progress for the First quarter (July-September) and Second quarter (October-December) for FY 2019/2020.

While addressing the team, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Yulita Cheruiyot Mitei pointed out the need for accountability through documentation of all the undertakings by the departments and ensure that there is always an evidence of everything done especially in activities geared towards achieving the set targets as stated in the PCs.

According to the Chief Officer For Administration and Public Service Management, Philip Towett, the inception of Performance Contracting has notably improved the general performance of the County administration. He added that Service delivery is improving as every department is working tirelessly to achieve its set targets.

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26 Jan
By: Phoebe Jeruto 0

ENHANCING CONNECTIVITY ACROSS ALL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF ELECTRONIC SERVICE DELIVERY.

County ICT and e-Government Sector is currently digitizing operations across all the county departments. Among these systems and programs currently in place are: Health Management information system(HMIS), Revenue collection system, Human resource management system, Fleet Management system, County Data & Call Centre (1548) and ICT literacy skills training in Vocational Training Centres. In the pipeline are Job Application Portal, Agricultural DigiFarm and ICT incubation Hubs among others.

The Officers in one of the county’s sever rooms

For the success of this journey towards digitization, there is need for good internet connectivity countywide. The Sector is therefore partnering with National Government’s Ministry of ICT in the County Connectivity Project (CCP) through its National Optic Fiber Backbone (NOFBI).

A team from ICT Authority (ICTA) has been in the county for the third phase of the County Connectivity Project t that will enhance internet and phone connectivity across all county departments at the headquarters, County Assembly offices and the Sub-Counties. This Project also serves the National Government Departments such the Law Court, Prison, Land registry and Public Works.

Chief Officer ICT Mr. Jonathan Misoi with officers from ICTA

The Chief Office in charge ICT and e-Government, Jonathan Misoi, speaking during an entry meeting, said that the connectivity projects will be extended to Sub-Counties and later to ward level so to ensure these programs and services get closer to the people.

 

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26 Jan
By: Phoebe Jeruto 0

ROUTINE INSPECTION OF KUSP PROJECTS IN KAPSABET MUNICIPALITY

Kapsabet Municipality Manager, David Sum, together with County Engineer, Simon Mwale today carried out the routine inspection of the projects currently under implementation within the municipality.

These Projects are World Bank Funded under Kenya Urban Support Program (KUSP) through the State Department of Housing and Urban Development. The program is meant to establish and strengthen urban institutions to deliver improved infrastructure and services in participating counties in Kenya.

Among the projects visited are: ongoing construction of Juakali Shades near Kapsabet town slaughter house, extension of sewer line in Kamobo area, ablution block at Kapsabet bus park, extension of street lighting in town and the ongoing site clearance for the construction of Non-motorized transport facilities & storm water drainage from Namgoi to Kamobo.

During the visit, Mr. Sum noticed the slow pace by the contractors and echoed to them on sticking to the set timelines which are also part of the implementation objectives by World Bank. He further promised to keenly follow on the weekly progress reports for the timely completion of these projects. The projects are set for completion by end of this quarter.

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23 Jan
By: Phoebe Jeruto 0

CREATING A ROAD MAP TOWARDS REDUCING E-WASTE RISK IN THE COUNTY

In its efforts to combat the effects of electronic waste, the county Government through the ICT and e-Government sub-sector has been working on E-waste and disposal Management policy as a framework in achieving it. The department is partnering with that of Lands, Environment, Natural resources and Climate Change to have electronic waste disposal strategies in enhancing safe use, protection of the environment to reduce unfavorable environmental and health impact.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today a team from Moi University led by Prof. Charles Lagat and Dr. Zurah Chepkoech Mohammed visited the county to discuss on possibility of collaborating and supporting the County in e-waste management. According to Prof. Lagat, Moi University will also be sharing the same initiative with other counties within the region and is looking forward to championing this in Nandi.

 

Dr. Zurah Mohammed, Prof. Charles Lagat and Mr. Jonathan Misoi during the meeting

 

Both Nandi County and Moi University have also been independently partnering with Computer For School Kenya (CFSK) and therefore planning to operationalizing the partnership with CFSK WEEE centre for e-waste management. WEEE Centre offers training and safe e-waste disposal services in accordance with the NEMA waste regulations.

Having the legal framework in place and with a substantive agreement for partnership with Moi University and with other potential partners, Nandi county will enhance its electronic safety. The County is also anticipating to setting up an e-waste centre that would be handling these electronic waste have its sources ranging from ICT and Telecommunications, office electronics, Household appliances, Consumer equipment, Toys, Leisure and Sports equipment, lighting, medical equipment, monitoring and control equipment, batteries.

Speaking during the meeting the Chief Officer for ICT and e-Government, Jonathan Misoi, pointed out that the county is ready for such partnerships that brings solution to the impeding problems. He added that the department is creating room for innovations geared towards e-waste management and even further into sensitization & development of skills requisite for the implementation of E-waste management operations.

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23 Jan
By: Phoebe Jeruto 0

Digitizing Agricultural Service Delivery and management through NandE-Farm System.

The step wise progression by County’s ICT& e-Government section in automating service delivery by the departments to the citizens is now setting its foot in the Department of Agriculture and Co-operative Development. It is focussing on digitizing Agricultural extension services for farmers through a mobile application and is therefore planning to roll out NandE-Farm system that help Farmers in the timely and effective access of services from extension officers, Veterinary Officers and Artificial inseminators within the County.

NandE-Farm is an integration of two platforms; DIGICOW by FarmTech Company supporting the dairy farmers and DIGIFARM by Safaricom for both Crop and Livestock farmers. The implementation of this system will aid the farmer through: requesting services by just dialing a toll free USSD code, getting the services at subsidized cost through monthly subscription, accessing proper records of the services, quick access to information, ensure quality service delivery by the Officers, acts as the best platform for training and dissemination of information, timely provision of critical services especially emergency services, marketing of agricultural products as well as
sending timely reminders to farmers.

For farmers to enjoy these and other services especially the subsidized veterinary services, they are expected to be members of a registered cooperative society within the county. Farmers who are not members of any cooperative society can equally access these services but with less privileges compared to those registered under cooperatives.

The implementation process of the system just started with the department of Agriculture and Cooperative Development together with ICT and e-Government sub sector rolling out training of all the stakeholders. Among these stakeholders are: ICT technical team,Call Centre agents and officers from the user department (Agriculture and Cooperative Development) especially the Veterinary and extension Officers at the Sub-County and Ward level.

 

The team from Safaricom and FarmTech
today trained the Technical team. They are also training the call centre agents so as to help the farmers who request services via the County’s Call Centre (1548). After training all stakeholders, the farmers are then registered. Thereafter, the farmer can request the services through their mobile phones via a USSD code that will be provided. The system the dispatches the nearest extension officer to deliver the requested service.

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20 Jan
By: Phoebe Jeruto 0

CLOSE MONITORING OF KUSP PROJECTS BY THE MUNICIPALITY PROJECTS TECHNICAL COMMITTEE

Kapsabet municipality is undertaking developmental Projects within its area of coverage through improvement of infrastructure so as to enhance economic growth and improve the livelihoods of the people. It is doing this through Kenya Urban Support Program (KUSP) Conditional funding by world Bank. The Municipality received it’s first funding and the selected projects are underway.

The Projects were tendered and awarded to two companies, Vella limited and Southpole Construction Company. Vella limited taking tender lot one comprising of: construction of Non-motorized transport (NMT) facility from Namgoi to Kamobo; storm water drainage along the NMT; extension of sewer line in Kapsabet town, Kamobo and Namgoi areas and the construction of Ablution block at Kapsabet bus park.
On the other hand, Southpole Construction company took up the construction of Juakali and fabricated shades in Kapsabet, Namgoi, Chebarbar, Barton and chepterit; extension of street & security lights and installation of high masts within the municipality.

The Projects Technical Committee today met to discuss on the status and progress of these projects. Simon Mwale who is the Supervising engineer, highlighted that according to the inspection report, Project status by Vella limited is at 15% and southpole is at 38% . The Project manager, Joseph Odenyo, added that the contract period has expired and works are behind schedule.

The committee therefore recommended for the extension of the contract period by two(2) months and that the projects are expected to be complete by end of March 2020. The Municipal Manager, David Sum, calls upon the Contracted firms to further their efforts and meet the timeline or the contracts get terminated.

Also present in the meeting were:A Munyua from county legal counsel, James Meli the director for environment and Dominic Tullo in charge of social safequard.

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14 Jan
By: Phoebe Jeruto 0

COUNTY PARTNERS WITH AHADI TO EMPOWER THE CIVIL SOCIETY NETWORK FOR SUCCESSFUL CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNANCE

Agile and Harmonized Assistance for Devolved Institutions(AHADI) has been supporting counties in the integration of citizens’ participation into training, policy development and research activities. AHADI is building capacity of all actors of devolution process -national, county, Sub- County, and civil society with the aim of promoting governance systems that are transparent, accountable, effective in service delivery, and responsive to empowered citizens.

AHADI is partnering with the County Government of Nandi in empowering and building the capacity of the Nandi County civil society Network in enhancing effective public participation and citizen oriented governance.

Speaking during a meeting with consultants from AHADI, the CO for Administration and public Service, Philip Towett pointed out that the department is developing a good operational plan in collaboration with AHADI on civil society’s involvement in effective governance.

AHADI Regional Program Officer, Dan Anduvate promised to fully support the Civil Society’s partnership with Government in development. To enhance this, it will be carrying out training, mentoring, and experiential learning to advance the work of government and citizens involvement through effective public participation.

The civil society being a key link between the government and the citizens, its contribution forms an integral part of policy development and implementation. It is therefore called upon to support and be part of this initiative.

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09 Dec
By: Phoebe Jeruto 0

ENHANCING CONNECTIVITY ACROSS ALL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF E-SERVICE DELIVERY

County ICT and e-Government sub-sector is currently digitizing operations across all the county departments. Among these systems and programs currently in place are: Health Management information system(HMIS), Revenue collection system, Human resource management system, Fleet Management system, County data & Call Centre (1548) and ICT literacy skills training in Vocational Training Centres. Soon, it will be unleashing Job Application Portal and Agricultural DigiFarm program and ICT incubation Hubs among others.

For the success of this journey towards digitization, there is need for good internet connectivity countywide. The Department is therefore partnering with National Government’s ministry of ICT in the County Connectivity Project (CCP) through its National Optic Fiber Backbone (NOFBI).

Today a team from ICT Authority (ICTA) for third phase of this project that will enhance internet and phone connectivity across all county departments at the headquarters, County Assembly offices and even to the sub-counties. This Project also serves the national government Departments such the Law court, Prison, Land registry and Public Works.

The Chief Office in charge ICT and e-Government, Jonathan Misoi, speaking during an entry meeting, said that this connectivity Projects will be extended to Sub-Counties and later to ward level so to ensure these programs and services get closer to the people.

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05 Dec
By: Remmy Butia 1

COUNTY ON HIGH ALERT AS MORE RAIN FORECASTED

The county government of Nandi has issued a warning to residents living in mudslide prone areas to move to safer grounds.

The residents have been warned to remain vigilant as heavy rains continue.

Weather forecasts predict persistent rainfall with thunderstorms over the coming weeks.

The county appeals to residents who have been negatively affected by the heavy rain to contact the county’s Disaster and Emergency Services via the call center 1548.

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04 Dec
By: Phoebe Jeruto 0

INTERGOVERNMENTAL TRANSFER OF ASSETS TO THE COUNTY FOR SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DEVOLVED FUNCTIONS

 

Following the Kenya Gazette Notice Number 5711 in June this year on establishment of institutional framework for the identification, verification and transfer of assets and liabilities relating to devolved functions, County Government of Nandi has established an Intergovernmental County Committee (IGCC) to carry out the exercise.

The Committee comprising of representatives from both the National and County government is currently undertaking the process of identification and verification of all national government assets and liabilities countywide. Among these assets to be transferred to the county include land, buildings, vehicles, computer accessories, machinery and the ongoing projects.

 

The National Government’s Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee(IGRTC) led by Rachel Osendo visited the county for monitoring and evaluation of the ongoing assets and liabilities verification exercise.

Patrick Sang, who was part of the team tracking the performance of IGCC , commended the County Government for the good progress in this process of identification and verification of the assets and liabilities so far.

After this exercise, the IGCC is expected to submit their report to the IGRTC for review. Upon approval, the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC) thereafter initiates the process of transfer of ownership of these assets and liabilities to the County Government.

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