Makueni Governor threatens to sack lazy and incompetent officers

Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana has threatened to sack lazy and incompetent officers in his government.

In a strong –worded warning, the governor stated that he will neither condone ineptitude nor hesitate to send packing public servants who fail to deliver in their respective dockets.

Speaking in Wote during the signing of the county performance contracting, Kivutha said that the people of Makueni deserve an efficient workforce for service delivery and called on the workers to embrace accountability and integrity.

The governor regretted the standoff between him and the County Assembly that had almost brought the county operations to a near halt but promised that his government will compensate for the time lost and deliver the much-needed services to the residents of Makueni.

“We very well know that we have had budget wrangles for the last two years that has seriously affected development but this is the time to work and not to point fingers at each other,” said the governor.

Kivutha also stated that his government will not tolerate corruption but will operate in a transparent manner.

While invoking Article one of the Constitution, Kivutha also called on the residents to keep the government in check by fully participating in the county affairs.

“The sovereign power belongs to the people and they should exercise that power as outlined in the constitution,” he said.

During the signing of the performance contracting different departments committed to deliver on key flagship projects in the 2015/2016 financial year.

Agriculture Executive Jacobus Kiilu committed to establish the Kalamba Fruit processing plant at a cost of Sh210M for value addition, diary units at Sh13M and enhance extension services to farmers at the cost of Sh15M.

Roads and Infrastructure Executive Alidan Mbinda promised to initiate a street lighting project in major towns to the tune of Sh50M, establish parking areas and improve access roads in towns at a budget of Sh55M and upgrading of major roads across the county at a cost of Sh50M.

Health Executive Dr. Andrew Mulwa, stated that his department will strive to complete the maternity wing under construction at the County Referral Hospital, set up a High Dependency Unit besides establishing a trauma centre at the Makindu sub county hospital to cater for accident victims along the busy Mombasa-Nairobi highway while his Lands and Urban Planning counterpart Judy Kalinga promised to issue title deeds especially to learning institutions and plan all major towns.

Others included the newly appointed Water Executive and former Chief of Staff Douglas Mbilu who committed to construction of water dams at a cost of Sh60M and upgrading of water supply in Wote town, the county headquarters.

The chair of the County Public Service Board Benjamin Mutie promised to develop county laws and policies adding that the performance contracting was a turning page for Makueni in terms of development.

He reminded the workers that they were bound by the civil service code of regulations, which require them to execute their duties diligently and effectively.

Makueni Parish Father in Charge Fr. Paul Munguti extolled the governor’s bold move of issuing a stern warning to lazy and incompetent officers saying that despite the wrangling the county was now headed to the right direction.

“The governor’s sentiments rekindled hope and focus with an echo of aspirations and dreams of Makueni people,” said Fr. Munguti.

He challenged the governor to walk the talk.

Kivutha’s stern warning comes barely week after the County Assembly unanimously passed the 2015/2016 budget, the first to be approved without any wrangling. With three budgets to implement in a span of one year, the Governor has perhaps no choice but to crack the whip on lazy and incompetent officers who might hinder his goal of delivering services to the residents of Makueni who have already lost two valuable years of service delivery courtesy of the wrangling.