Incoming Trans Nzoia County Governor George Natembeya has pledged to form an all-inclusive administration for effective service delivery to members of the public.
Natembeya made the promise at Kitale ASK show grounds moments after he and his Deputy Governor Philemona Binea, took oath of office on Thursday.
The swearing in ceremony, which was witnessed by hundreds of Trans Nzoia residents, including civil servants, was presided over by High Court Judge Justice Joseph Karanja and Chief Magistrate Julius Ng’arng’ar.
In his speech addressed to the public, Mr Natembeya assured members of all the 45 tribes living in Trans Nzoia of equal representation in his government both in terms of employment opportunities and County resources allocation and distribution.
To achieve a united devolved unit, the new county boss used the occasion and urged the locals to shed off tribal tags.
“One of my development goals will be to ensure Trans Nzoia, which is purely cosmopolitan, truly gains the proper face of Kenya. Thus l urge all of us to put aside our Teso, Maragoli, Bukusu, Sengwer, Saboti, Kikuyu among others tribal tags,” appealed Natembeya.
Natembeya appealed to elected leaders in the County to work as a solid unit for the sake of delivering on their pre-election pledges and most importantly spur the County’s economic growth and development.
“My passionate message to all our elected Members of County Assembly (MCAs), Members of National Assembly (MNAs), Senator and Woman Representative, is clear. This is time to subject ourselves to political party loyalty but demonstrate leadership as promised to our people in the just concluded electioneering period,” remarked Natembeya who was elected on Democratic Alliance Party of Kenya (DAP-K).
The incoming Trans Nzoia Governor partly blamed allegiance to party affiliations, especially by MCAs, for disrupting development goals in most county governments.
“I will ensure we forge a strong and proper working relationship between the County Executive and Assembly,” promised Natembeya.
He singled out agriculture, transport, health and environment as some of the key development sectors the new administration would put a lot of attention and focus on.
Speaking at the colourful inauguration event, Defence Cabinet Secretary (CS) Eugene Wamalwa praised Kenyans for maintaining peace throughout the General Elections cycle.
Wamalwa urged incoming governors to safeguard the taxpayers’ money by ensuring completion of development projects left behind by their predecessors.
“I am pleading with incoming governors against abandoning projects started by their predecessors,” stated Wamalwa, adding such projects had already consumed a lot of funds by the government and development partners.
He cited the yet to be fully completed Trans Nzoia County Teaching and Referral Hospital and ultra-modern Kitale Business Centre.
Trans Nzoia County Commissioner Samson Ojwang, retired politician and former Agriculture Minister Dr Noah Wekesa were among senior officials who graced the occasion.
By Maurice Aluda
