Former ICT Principal Secretary Jerome Ochieng has been sworn in as the Kisumu county executive for lands, physical planning and urban development.
This came after he was vetted and his nomination approved by the Kisumu county assembly on Tuesday.
He takes over from Kennedy Hongo, who was sacked by Governor Anyang' Nyong’o alongside water and environment executive Maryline Agwa.
Nyong’o witnessed the swearing-in ceremony presided over by Kisumu law courts magistrate Odhiambo Onyango on Wednesday.
He expressed confidence that Ochieng will deliver on the responsibility bestowed upon him for the benefits of the residents.
“I have known Jerome for a long time as a civil servant when I was a minister, so he is not new to me. He is a very competent person," Nyong'o said.
"I have no doubt in my mind that given the challenges in the Lands docket, he is the right person for the job.”
He said the Cabinet is the engine that drives the county government as it makes policy and shapes development projects in the county.
“We are servants of the people and we should always remember that as we serve our respective dockets,” Nyong’o said.
Ochieng thanked Nyong’o for giving him a chance to serve in his cabinet.
“I want to commit that I am ready to serve the people of Kisumu and we will use the available resources at our disposal to ensure effective service delivery,” he said.
Ochieng said he has equally been briefed on what needs to be done in his docket and called for team work from colleagues.
The former PS previously served as ICT manager with Public Procurement Oversight Authority as well as director of IFMIS at the National Treasury
Ochieng holds a master’s degree in information engineering from the University of Ryukyus, Okinawa, in Japan.
He is a registered fellow of Computer Society of Kenya and alienated Member of the Institute of Management Information Systems (IMS) UK.
Last month, Nyong'o sacked Hongo and Agwa without giving any reason.
"With powers vested on me by Section 31 (a) of the County Governments Act, I have today made the following changes in the Kisumu county executive committee," Nyong'o said after relieving the two of their duties.
Agwa served as chief officer for water in Nyong'o's first cabinet before being appointed county water executive.
She also served as chief officer for water in Homa Bay county during former Homa Bay Governor Cyprian Awiti's reign.
Before Ochieng's nomination, education executive John Awiti was acting as the lands, physical planning, housing and urban development CEC.
The executive for administration and participatory development, Judith Oluoch, was also appointed to act as the executive member for water, environment and climate change.
