H.E Governor Wisley Rotich held a high level meeting with staff from both the County Headquarters and Sub Counties to formulate new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on implementation of projects.
The Governor convened the meeting to come up with the new SOPs which will address past challenges of delayed projects procurement and implementation, low absorption rates, shoddy works, conflict of interest, malpractices in project verification and payment among other issues.
The meeting brought together all staff involved in projects planning, inspection, implementation and payment and was a forum to identify problems and proposing solutions as the County gears up to begin implementation of 2022/23 Financial Year projects and programmes.
This follows a projects verification exercise that the Governor ordered across the County to establish the status of projects in all the 20 wards.
Governor Wisley said he convened the meeting to enhance the operational efficiency of staff in projects implementation and to re-engineer procedures used in the County for efficiency and effectiveness.
Addressing the staff, the Governor warned that it would not be business as usual in the usage of development funds allocated to the County annually.
“I called you here so that we can evaluate the challenges and start things afresh. We have to change the way we do things so that we can move this County forward. Today Iam issuing an amnesty to staff who have been perpetrating malpractices in implementation of development projects. After today, there will be no mercy,” he said.
The Governor warned staff against awarding contracts to themselves and their cronies, awarding projects verbally, receiving kick-backs, collusion with contractors, demanding money from contractors before paying them, issuing certificates of completion for incomplete projects.
“When I became Governor, I started by addressing your welfare. We are paying your salaries on time, we have secured you comprehensive NHIF cover as well as put in place a Welfare fund for you. Now let’s focus on addressing the welfare of our people, the tax payers. From today, if I find any staff culpable of any malpractice, there will be public naming and shaming of such staff and administrative action taken,” he said.
The Governor added that his administration will cascade projects monitoring at ward level adding that he would lead by example by holding regular ward visits to evaluate project implementation status.
He also warned against delayed payments for contractors, especially those who had completed their projects satisfactorily, saying there would be a turnaround period to ensure this is a thing of the past.
The Governor further said there would be a 100 day Rapid Results Initiative in executing implementation of development projects beginning with the current financial year projects.
Also present during the meeting held at KMTC Hall Iten was County Secretary Paul Chemmuttut, CECs, Chief Officers and Directors of the respective County Departments.
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