Roll up your sleeves, Mwadime tells executive team

Taita Taveta Governor Andrew Mwadime has told his cabinet members and county chief officers to roll up their sleeves to help him deliver on his development agenda.

The governor told his executive team there is no time to slumber and that they should hit the ground to ensure they provide services to the residents. 

Speaking while witnessing the swearing-in of three new executives and 12 CCOs at his Mwatate office, Mwadime asked them to focus on service delivery and consider integrity while executing their mandate to the residents.

Mwadime on Friday said the realisation of his development agenda is highly pegged on the performance of his executive team.

“The success of any institution is highly dependent on the input from its workforce, and even more so, that of its top management. I expect nothing but the very best out of you,” the county chief said. 

The new executives are Erickson Kyongo (Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock and Fisheries) Martin Tairo (Public Works, Infrastructure and Transport) and Panuel Mwaeke (Devolution, Public service and Administration).

Their nomination was approved by the county assembly last week.

The chief officers include Habib Mruttu (Devolution), Harrison Mwamkonu (Special Programmes), Paul Sindeu (Trade), Lonyee Mwakio (Education), Rina Ndamu (Youth and Gender) and Violet Mkala (Health).

Others are Reuben Kitololo (Water), Elizabeth Mbinga (Environment), Nashon Nyali (Finance), Jimmy Mtawa (Lands), Leonard Kiute (Public Works) and Mcharo Mwalugha (Agriculture).

The governor expressed confidence in the team while urging them to shun any forms of corruption while undertaking their duties.

"Corruption in any of its various forms has no place in my government. That is a solemn promise I made to my people, who overwhelmingly bequeathed me with the responsibility to lead them," Mwadime said. 

The governor asked county leaders to work together in a bid to transform the region. He lauded the ward reps for speedily approving the nomination of the remaining cabinet members, saying his government is now fully constituted.

“Now my Government is complete. I once again pledge my total commitment to all the pledges I made in my campaign manifesto,” he said. 

Deputy Governor Christine Kilalo, however, said very few youths, women and people with disabilities had applied for the executive and chief officer jobs.

She urged them to actively apply for other county jobs that will be advertised by the county’s public service board.

“We are keen on ensuring inclusivity and gender balancing while awarding these jobs, and let all the qualified residents apply for the jobs once advertised,” Kilalo said.

She said the devolved unit will partner with development agencies and investors to realise growth in the economy and create jobs for hundreds of unemployed residents.

Assembly speaker Wisdom Mwamburi reaffirmed the assembly’s commitment to complement the executive in undertaking their duties.

The good working relationship, he said, will foster development while at the same time putting on check the performance of the executive members.

Mwamburi downplayed earlier disagreement between the MCAs and Governor Mwadime over delayed appointment of executives and CCOs.

The delay almost spoiled the good relationship between the two arms as the MCAs threatened to impeach the governor if he did not fully constitute his government.