Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has nominated Prof Bernard Muok of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology to the position of the county secretary.
Wanga presented Muok’s name to the county assembly for approval as the assembly committee on Administrative and Appointment completes the vetting of executive nominees.
Should the committee approve him, Muok will also be the head of public service.
In her statement, Wanga said she decided to nominate the university don after getting a report compiled by a selection panel that interviewed seven applicants who were shortlisted for the position.
The seven were interviewed after being shortlisted from 58 people who applied for the position. The post was advertised to the public last month.
After the interview, two top candidates were forwarded to the governor's office. This culminated in nomination of Prof Muok.
The applicants included Dr Julius Jwan, Paul Otula, Irene Tindi and Donald Ogweno, among others.
“Pursuant to Article 179 of the Constitution and the County Government Act no 17 of 2012, I have nominated Prof Muok for the position,” Wanga said.
The asked the county assembly, through speaker Julius Gaya, to approve the nominee.
“Let the vetting exercise be expedited to enable the county government settle down for work as soon as possible,” she said.
Muok will replace Isaiah Ogwe who resigned from the post in February this year to vie for the governor seat.
The committee finished vetting of executive nominees by Tuesday evening as they were asked on their suitability for the positions they expect to hold if approved.
The nominees included Roslyn Omollo (Health), Solomon Obiero (Finance), Martin Opere (Education), Danish Onyango (Roads), Joash Aloo (Water), Peter Ogola (Lands), Polycarp Okombo (Trade), Sarah Malit (Tourism), Grace Osewe (Devolution) and John Agili (Fisheries).
Gaya, who is the chairman of the committee, questioned the nominees on how they would improve the economic status of Homa Bay should they get approved.
“I will prioritise the welfare of Homa Bay health workers. The sector will have qualified human resources,” Omollo said.
Other committee members include clerk Faith Apuko, majority leader and Kwabwai MCA Richard Ogindo, his Kanyaluo counterpart Jeff Ongoro, Kanyamwa Kosewe MCA Nicholas Owaka and Homa Bay Central MCA Monoflorita Ondiek.
Opere said his goal is to ensure the quality of early childhood education and vocational training is improved in Homa Bay.
There have been concerns over low enrolment in vocational training centres as youths shy away from technical training institutions.
“We will provide tools for training. Tutors must also be people who are well trained,” Opere said.
Onyango said his main task would be to be improve rural roads and make them motorable.
Some of the roads, especially in rural communities, normally become impassable during rainy seasons.
He said he would work with the national government to improve the road network in the county.
“We will work in collaboration with the Ministry of Roads to influence the construction of some roads in Homa Bay,” Onyango said.
Obiero said he intends to introduce reforms, and that part of his plans is to make automated and digital financial data.
“Availability of funds will enable us address issues of contractor apathy,” he said.
(edited by Amol Awuor)
