CC urges officers to ensure implementation of government projects

Kitale

Friday August 11, 2023,

KNA by Maurice Aluda

Public office holders in Trans Nzoia County have been urged to acquaint themselves with the National Government’s Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) model to enable seamless implementation of government development projects and programmes in the region.

Trans Nzoia County Commissioner (CC) Gideon Oyagi made the call on Thursday in his boardroom during the establishment and inauguration of the National Government Development – County Implementation Coordination and Management Committee (NGD-CICMC).

The NGD-CICMC inaugural meeting, which assembled various heads of departments, was attended by Rift Valley Regional Head of Government Delivery Services Sitati Olando and the committee’s Secretary Martin Martim.

The forum focused on the guidelines of the framework for coordination and supervision of government business across ministries, state departments and agencies as stipulated in the Prime Cabinet Secretary's Circular letter, Ref: EOP. PCS/ADM/GE/1/2 of 30th March, 2023.

“For us to enable the government to effectively initiate and implement projects and programmes aimed at spurring economic growth and development in this county, then it's imperative to familiarise ourselves with Kenya Kwanza’s manifesto,” CC Oyagi told the officers.

Referring to Kenya Kwanza’s blueprint, Oyagi emphasised on the importance of public officers in charge of implementing development projects and programmes at involving members of the public through public participation forums.

“Kenya Kwanza's manifesto puts a lot of emphasis on uplifting economic and living standards of the ordinary citizens. Thus, the need for us to conduct public participation forums in order establish the needs of our people before identifying and prioritising government funded public projects and programmes,” added Oyagi.

He at the same time implored the officers to ensure the public was factually and fully informed about all government policies as well as projects and programmes being implemented in the area through public engagement forums such as barazas.

The County boss cited subsidised fertiliser, Inua Jamii and Hustler Fund as some of the government initiatives that called for constant public awareness sensitisation forums.

“The slow uptake for some of the government initiatives by members of the public can partly be attributed to lack of proper information,” pointed out Oyagi.

Describing President William Ruto as a hands-on leader, the County boss urged the departmental heads to ensure they were fully conversant with and accountable for all activities within their areas of jurisdiction.

“I encourage all of us to ensure data for all field and office events, especially those touching government and even privately funded projects and programmes, are always accurate, properly maintained and up to date,” advised Oyagi.  

Emphasising on the significance of multi-sectoral approach, the CC further urged the office holders to work as a team under the NGD-CICMC to enable successful implementation of government projects and programmes in the county.

“Besides offering guidance, supervising and monitoring implementation of government projects, the NGC-CICMC will also act as a dispute resolution tribunal in cases where conflicts occurred in order to ensure timely delivery of government projects,” stated Oyagi who cited past conflicts between Kenya National Highway Authority (KenHA) and Kenya Railways and Kenya Forest Services during construction of the Kitale-Endebess-Suam road.

Mr Olando echoed the County Commissioner’s sentiments and assured the public of the President’s commitment toward improving the country’ s economic and development status via the BETA model.

The committee later toured ongoing construction of Kitale Market where it was informed both construction and engineering works were at 75 per cent.

The market is funded by African Development Bank (AfDB) to the tune of Sh100 million.

Courtesy ; K. N. A