Lusaka names chief officers

Bungoma, Thursday, April 13, 2023

KNA By Roseland Lumwamu

Bungoma governor Ken Lusaka has named chief officers and directors who will assist him in discharging duties in his government.

Speaking at his Mapela home on Thursday, Lusaka stated that he has replaced Nancy Kibaba who recently resigned as the CECM for youth, gender, culture and sports following her appointment to the National government as Chief administrative secretary (CAS) in the ministry of public service youth and gender affairs.

Lusaka said that he has picked Engineer Agnes Wachie from Sirisia to replace Ms. Kibaba as the CECM for genders, sports and culture.

“Wachie is an accomplished engineering technologist with more than 20 years of experience in the field of technology, she has a background in electrical engineering design and construction of commercial and industrial installations,” Lusaka noted.

While making the appointments, the governor indicated that he has not only considered meritocracy and competency, but also factored in gender and regional balance as stipulated in the constitution.

The governor noted that on October 4, 2022 the County public service board advertised for seven chief officers’ positions, where 654 applications were received.

He revealed that after a rigorous scrutiny, the following 113 applicants were shortlisted for consideration to work in ministries of Roads, transport, infrastructure and public works 8, education and vocational training 25, trade, energy and industrialization 17, health and sanitation 14, public service and management 19, agriculture 18 and department of cooperatives 12.

“The interviews were conducted between 20th to 27th of February 2023 and as a result three names in each of the seven positions were forwarded for consideration,” he said.

Lusaka has thus appointed the following for the chief officers’ positions; Nicholas Kiboi (Education and vocational training), Reuben Wambwa (trade, energy and industrialization), Dr. Manyama Magina (health and sanitation), Teresa Wekesa (public service and management), Robert Simiyu (Agriculture) and Beatrice Wafula (department of cooperatives).

The names will be forwarded to the county assembly for vetting and subsequent approvals.

The Governor said he will also be making reshuffles aimed at improving the efficiency of service delivery to residents.

He said that five chief officers who worked in the former regime have resigned.

They include Patrick Wandili (health and sanitation), Rose Murunga (Education and vocational training), Saphia Awil (gender and culture), Phoebe Buchunju (ICT) and Coroline Masete (youth and sports).

“In due course we shall be advertising more positions for the remaining positions of chief officers,” he said.

Lusaka also appointed Moses Wekesa Wamalwa from Kimilili to serve as Director Infrastructure, Lake Region economic block, Leonard Mayende from Kanduyi, Administrator, Lake Region economic block, Sween Khayanga from Tongaren, Advisor public relations, Peter Ndiema from Mt. Elgon, deputy director special programs, Maurice Simiyu from Kanduyi, deputy chief of staff and Cheptai Namisi from Webuye East as the Liaison media relations.

Courtesy K.N.A