County staff urged to be transparent and accountable

Kwale, Wednesday, April 12, 2023

K.N.A By Hussein Abdullahi

Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani has urged county employees to be transparent and accountable in carrying out their duties.

Governor Achani stated that lack of transparency and accountability breeds corruption and retards good governance and economic growth.

The county boss said her Administration is intensifying efforts at eradicating corrupt practices by instilling accountability, transparency and ethical behaviours in the conduct of county staff.

She called on senior county employees to provide accountable and responsible leadership to Wananchi noting that she would be focused on revenue reform for economic development, youth and women empowerment programs and infrastructure development.

“As a governor my priority is to run an accountable devolved government in which the interests of the people will be the primary focus,” she said, adding that she will be strong on service delivery to the people and intolerant of mediocrity in leadership.

She called on all and sundry to make their contribution in developing the coastal county saying it was now time to come together to move the county forward.

Achani said this at a ceremony to hand over letters of appointment to new county Chief Officers at the Kwale Cultural Centre.

The event was also attended by Deputy Governor Chirema Kombo, County Commissioner Mwangi Meru, County Executive Committee Members led by County Secretary Sylvia Chidodo, Members of the County Assembly led by Speaker Seth Kamanza and members of the County Public Service Board led by Chairman Festus Sombo.

She has officially made formal appointments of 12 Chief Officers after contracts of the previous office bearers expired.

They are Alex Thomas (Finance and economic planning), Badru Mohamed (Water services), Joseph Mbuza (Agriculture, livestock and fisheries), Dr. Kitsao Kalume (Health services (curative), Athman Mwashando (Health services (preventative), Riziki Mwasoza (social services and talent management), Hassan Chuphi (Trade and enterprise development), Neema Suya (Environment and natural resources), Juma Nzao (Education), Mwinzagu Mwamunga (Tourism and ICT), Mebakari Ali (Public service and administration) and Salim Zimbu (Roads and public works).

She tasked them to ensure accountability and sensible resource management in their work.

“We are confident that they will bring their unique skills and expertise to their positions and work tirelessly to advance the interests of the county,” she said.

She went on, ‘you have been accorded an opportunity to serve the people please don’t disappoint otherwise you will be shown the door for exhibiting mediocrity at work’.

Achani said if the county public service was not accountable and diligent in the management of county resources then public trust would be eroded.

“I promised to be accountable to the people of Kwale if elected governor in the August 2022 general election and I am not about to deviate from that path now that I am their governor,” she said.

She promised to run a clean devolved government devoid of audit queries noting that leadership without accountability is tantamount to failure.

“Our focus as a county government should always be integrity, honesty and transparency in the discharge of our duties so as to earn and keep public trust,” she said.

On his part Commissioner Mwangi Meru asked both national and county employees to be diligent in their duties.

 “National and county government staff are all serving the same people so we should strive to ensure that service delivery to the people was top notch,” he said.

Courtesy K.N.A