The Laikipia County Secretary, Karanja Njora was on Tuesday sworn into office with calls for diligent service delivery by public servants in the devolved unit.
Njora’s swearing into office comes following last week’s County Assembly approval of his nomination into the position after a two year wait since his name was forwarded for consideration for the post by the Executive.
Governor Ndiritu Muriithi while speaking after witnessing the swearing-in ceremony at his Nanyuki office conducted by the Resident Magistrate, Vincent Masivo said that his administration was keen on formalising the confirmation of officers who were serving in acting capacity through performance appraisals.
“We are keen on streamlining of the public service by formalising the appointment of all officers in acting roles once satisfied that they are best suited for the job through regular appraisal mechanisms,” Governor Muriithi said.
Currently, all the eight Chief Officers in the County have also been serving in acting capacities awaiting confirmation on their roles by the Executive.
He added that his government had embraced Information Technology for efficient service delivery, citing collection of revenue and holding of virtual meetings as some of the areas the county had succeeded through use of technology.
The governor further said that the county had re-deployed 200 workers to serve as Business Development Officers after a training stint at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology and were now tasked with assisting Small and Medium-size Enterprises (SMEs) revive and improve their business ventures amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Let merit and performance be the key drivers of the public service. That is why we are also retooling other employees especially those without academic certificates so that they can be equipped with relevant skills to offer efficient service to the public,” he said.
The governor challenged all county employees to ensure they have annual workplans that are aligned and were in tune with the local budget.
The Deputy governor, John Mwaniki urged the newly sworn-in County Secretary to decentralise service delivery, fight corruption and strengthen communication between the government and the people.
The Laikipia Assembly Speaker, Patrick Waigwa described the newly sworn-in County Secretary as an astute and dedicated worker who never tired despite acting in the position for two years.
Njora, a former National Government administrator has been serving in an acting capacity since a motion for his consideration was tabled for debate on the floor of the House on July 25, 2018, but supremacy battles between the assembly and the Executive delayed his approval.
The Governor Ndiritu Muriithi, on May 17, 2018, had written to the Assembly for consideration of approval of the nominees but his request was rejected by majority of members when the motion was tabled in the House on July 25 the same year.
By Martin Munyi
