Lusaka urges Chief Officers to delegate duties, or ‘die in office’

By Peter Ochieng

Bungoma governor Kenneth Lusaka is urging Chief Officers (COs) to craft working teams and delegate duties, unless they want to ‘die in office.’

Speaking in Mombasa when he graced the official opening of the induction of Chief Officers in the agriculture sector, Lusaka said that like Principal Secretaries (PSs) at the national level, the roles of COs entail coordination and management, which calls for delegation of duties.

“As a Chief Officer, your work is to coordinate and manage. You must remember that you are a manager. Cultivate a good working relationship. Delegate. Don’t do everything, you’ll just die and work will continue,” said the Bungoma county boss.

He said the officers hold the keys to success of their departments, giving an example of the heights he reached while serving as a PS, during former president, the late Mwai Kibaki’s time in office.

“I was PS in the ministry of livestock development, but I did history and political science. I was one of the most successful PSs. I brought the ministry from position 43 to 12, making it the most improved ministry,” he added.

The former senate speaker urged the officers to observe high levels of integrity, while discharging their mandate. “You run very crucial departments that hold a key role in the economy of the country. It is therefore incumbent you that you provide outstanding leadership.”

Lusaka is the chair of the agriculture committee in the Council of Governors. He observed that the transformation of the county-level agricultural practices will not only contribute to national prosperity, but also play a significant role in addressing global challenges, particularly climate change.

“Agriculture in Kenya has always served as the backbone of our economy, providing sustenance and livelihoods for millions of our people. Your role in shaping our agricultural future is more critical than ever before," said Lusaka.

He added, "As Chief Officers, you are the architects of this transformation, crafting a path that aligns with national policies while honoring the unique characteristics and resources of each county.”

Governor Lusaka called on the officers to craft solutions against increasing climate change challenges.