Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has vowed to slay the dragon of corruption to enable proper service delivery to area residents.
Natembeya reiterated his commitment toward fighting corruption on Thursday when he presided over the swearing in ceremony for the new County Executive Committee Members (CECM) team.
The former Rift Valley Regional Commissioner (RC) identified graft as the leading cause of what he termed as under-development of Trans Nzoia County.
“This is the only devolved unit where things seem to be operating upside down,” remarked Natembeya who noted he had inherited a county that was almost on its knees.
The County chief said the journey toward making Trans Nzoia a completely corruption free zone would start with top members of the county executive.
“I have already informed the new team of CECs to be ready for a lifestyle audit exercise before they officially embark on their duties,” the Governor revealed, adding the audit activity will be carried out immediately the new team concluded an induction training slated next week.
He described the intended lifestyle audit activity as one of the necessary measures aimed at fighting corruption that his government was putting in place. “Establishing the net worth value of government workers would greatly protect embezzlement of public funds by greedy officers,” he added.
The Governor used the occasion and warned senior public officers against working in disharmony. He, in particular, issued a stern warning to Chief Officers, accusing some of them of not willing to share office data with their immediate bosses, the CECs.
“We have reports on work related conflicts between some Chief Officers and their CECs. This kind of office abuse would not be tolerated in my government,” warned Natembeya who blamed the vice for enhancing loopholes for graft.
According to the Governor, his government further plans to slash the recurrent expenditure budget by half in order to save extra cash for development projects and programmes. “We are reviewing the recurrent expenditure budget with an aim of cutting unnecessary costs,” Natembeya told members of the public present at the swearing-in event.
He cited travel allowances as one of the kitties that would be greatly affected. “For instance, I don’t expect my officers to travel to hotels outside the county to hold meetings that can be conducted within hotels around here,” he explained.
Natembeya urged the new CECs to work harder with a view of uplifting the development status of the county to the highest level. “I appeal to you to set aside personal businesses and instead focus on county work delivery for the next five years,” urged Natembeya.
Natembeya’s cabinet comprises ten CECs, including outgoing Busia County Commissioner Samson Ojwang in charge of Public Service Management docket, Mrs Janerose Nasimiyu Mutama ( Lands, Housing, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mrs Julie Kichwen Ruto (Education and Technical Training), Ms Phanice Naliaka Khatundi (Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock and Fisheries) and Mr Boniface Wanyonyi ( Finance and Economic Planning).
Others are Dr Pepela Wanjala for Health Services and Sanitation, Mr Jackson Amboka (Public Works, Transport and Energy) and Mr Stanley Kirui (Trade, Industrialization, Tourism and Cooperative Development.
Ms Chanella Kittony, 28, daughter to Nairobi Stock Exchange Chairperson Kiprono Kittony, is in charge of Gender, Youth, Sports and Culture docket, while Mrs Truphosa Awour Otwala is the County Secretary.