Go back to class, Kahiga advises staff

Nyeri,

Thursday July 11, 2024

KNA by Samuel Maina

Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has advised staff working in the county not to shy from going back to class as one way of cutting a competitive edge in the changing global job market.

Kahiga stated that workers should pursue continuous improvement careers training to hone their skills and also enhance their output when serving the public.

The governor, who was officiating the signing of Annual Departments Performance Contracts for the 2024/2025 year at Town Hall in Nyeri, also announced his intention to enroll for a Law Degree before the end of this year.

“I want to challenge all of you today to stop sitting on your laurels thinking you have made it. It’s only after you get up to the hilltop that you see the mountains you have not conquered. There is a lot you can do with your life. The majority of you have enough time and opportunities at your disposal. Go for those opportunities while you still have the time,” he told the staff.

The Governor has also underscored the critical role of putting staff under a performance contract noting that the criteria is the only way the performance of individual employees and public entities can be evaluated.

He noted that the county’s impressive performance over the years has been pegged on how well departments worked towards attaining set targets which saw the county realize Sh1.4 billion last year, as Own Source Revenue(OSR).

Overall, Nyeri was ranked position eight out all the 47 counties in revenue collection during the last financial year.

Kahiga says the county intends to hit the Sh2 billion mark in OSR collection during the current fiscal year.

“This performance contracting has helped us make outstanding strides which has seen all our employees placed an annual evolution. This has also transformed the working culture and enhanced timely service delivery,” he stated.

The County, according to the Governor, has of July this year, managed to promote at total of 990 of its staff in line with the government’s objective of addressing stagnation for civil servants.

The county boss has also cautioned Departments against starting new projects unless there is proof of sufficient funds.

 All pending and continuing projects will henceforth be given first priority.

“Unless adequately funded, departments are discouraged from starting new projects before completing the staled or ongoing projects. I direct that, over and above unserviceable vehicles whose stock-taking started recently, an action plan for the disposal of all obsolete and surplus assets should be developed within 14 days detailing the inventory and methodology of their disposal. This will be able to raise surplus revenue for the county,” emphasized Kahiga.

Departments have also been put on notice for failing to submit quarterly public complaints and resolution to the office of the Commission of Administrative of Justice (CAJ).

To remedy the situation, the Governor has directed the County Secretary Benjamin Gachichio to compile and submit the report for the county by the end of the first quarter on September 30, 2024.

Among officer who signed their contracts today include Nyeri County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) and their Chief Officers (COs).

The signing of the performance contracts is a sign of their commitment to achieving specific service delivery targets that are verifiable and auditable as anchored in the County Government Act. 2012. 

 Performance contracting aims to improve efficiency and effectiveness in public service management.

They are crucial in actualizing development plans and defining the scope of work, and deliverables, while specifying measurable performance indicators and key performance indicators (KPIs).

Among those who were present during the event include Deputy Governor David Kinaniri, Nyeri County Assembly Speaker James Gichuhi, and Majority Leader James Kanyugo Mwangi among others.

Courtesy; KNA