Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika has launched a Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) that will see the 13 county departments achieve set targets within 100 days.
Governor Kihika said the RRI targets selected priority projects and strategic programmes, with each of the departments having at least 15 activities to deliver within the time frame, an approach that the County boss said will enhance service delivery.
The governor noted that it was possible for county officials to achieve specific targets within realistic time frames.
“We are keen to institutionalise a results-oriented culture and enhance measurement of performance,” the governor added.
Ms. Kihika said the County Integrated Development Programme (CIDP) 2023-2027 was guiding her economic development agenda and the implementation of development projects on time and within the budget in the next five years.
The Sh117 billion CIDP, she stated, is largely focused on achieving industrialisation by transforming the region’s economic structure of subsistence farming to agricultural-led industrialisation.
She observed that all the County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) and departmental heads had signed their performance contracts, signalling the beginning of a serious task ahead.
While vowing to hold CECMS and departmental heads to account, the governor reiterated her firm commitment to ensuring that the common man gets the best services from the county staff throughout her tenure.
Governor Kihika said she will periodically monitor the progress of project implementation and delivery of service programmes, adding that she expects completion of development projects in all departments and an increase in Own Source Revenue (OSR).
“By applying the Rapid Results Approach (RRA) in the public sector, performance targets have improved, and we have shifted from business as usual to a results-oriented mindset,” she pointed out.
Ms. Kihika pledged that her administration would continue promoting sustainable agricultural practices, support smallholder farmers, and create value-addition opportunities to ensure food security and boost the agro-based economy.
In the infrastructure sector, the County boss indicated that priority had been placed on the expansion and maintenance of road networks through the Imarisha barabara programme, and the enhancement of digital superhighway in the County.
She added that among her plans was to ensure grading and graveling of 2000 kilometres of earth road through the Imarisha Barabara programme, tarmacking 66 kilometres of roads within urban centres, among other projects.
Kihika highlighted several programmes that her administration seeks to initiate or accomplish within three months, with key projects to be initiated under the RRI being the construction of health care facilities, the establishment of water supply systems, the upgrading of rural feeder roads, and the upgrading of sporting facilities, among others.
She said her administration will explore the use of solar energy to power 80 per cent of street lights under the County Street Lighting master plan programme.
The governor also said that the County will seek to improve the healthcare facilities to enhance access to quality and affordable healthcare services in addition to investing in quality education and skills development initiatives in order to improve the transition rate in Early Child Development Education and the graduation rate in Vocational Training Centres.
The county boss pledged to empower her staff so that they can raise the bar in rendering services, saying that some of the officials had never been trained since they were recruited.
Also captured in the RRI blueprint is the improvement of agricultural productivity through enhanced extension services, promoting the cooperative movement and improvement of dairy farming.
By Esther Mwangi
