Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim has said he will embrace and work with trade unions to effectively handle workers' welfare and deliver quality services.
Bii on Monday said his administration will focus on staff capacity building for the more than 3,500 county employees through retraining and giving them necessary skills and knowledge.
The county chief spoke at his office when he met leaders and representatives of workers' unions and associations led by officials from the Uasin Gishu Local Government Workers Union.
“We appreciate workers' unions providing a platform for continuous engagement with the county administration to ensure staff welfare issues are addressed," Bii said.
The governor has pledged to continuously engage in dialogue with workers and unions so they can amicably deal with challenges in service delivery.
“I am cognizant of the important role played by the workers because without them then we cannot deliver on our mandate," Bii said.
Deputy Governor Engineer John Barorot encouraged union leaders to cultivate a win-win spirit where the workers commit to their work as government continues to improve working conditions and build staff technical capacities.
Unions at the meeting included th Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) led by Dr Darwin Ambuka; National Nurses Association of Kenya led by Caroline Chemoiywo), Uasin Gishu Nurses Welfare association led by Selly Melly and the Uasin Gishu chapter of the Local Government Workers Union represented by Isaac Kiptalam.
Union leaders promised to collaborate with the county leadership and ensure there is always open engagement, not go-slows and strikes.
“We desire good relations with the county government and welcome such meetings so we can raise issues and have them addressed through dialogue," Kiptalam said.
Separately, Governor Bii flagged off a procession led by NCIC commissioner Sam Kona to mark the International Day of Peace at county headquarters in Eldoret town.
Bii thanked Uasin Gishu residents for proving wrong those who had branded the county a hotspot.
"Now that elections are over, my administration will work on uniting all communities, irrespective of their political affiliation or ethnicity, the governor said.
NCIC Commissioner Sam Kona praised President William Ruto, former PM Raila Odinga and former President Uhuru Kenyatta for playing their part in preaching peace and following the rule of law.
He said Kenyans have again affirmed they are peace-loving, contrary to fears amongst many that there would be violence after the hotly contested election.
(Edited by V. Graham)
