In a bid to improve service delivery across crucial departments, Isiolo Governor Abdi Hasaan Guyo on Friday reshuffled five chief officers.
In a letter seen by the Star, the Governor moved Salad Diba Rogicha from overseeing the Education and Early Childhood Development docket and handed him the Roads and Transport docket, a role formerly held by Ali Wario.
Wario, in turn, assumed control of the Water and Sanitisation docket, previously under the leadership of Godana Diba Abduba.
Godana was strategically reassigned to the Agriculture and Irrigation docket, while Salad Tutana, previously in Agriculture and Irrigation, now leads the Vocational and Technical Training.
In a ripple effect, Stephen Kiambi, once responsible for vocational and technical training, took the reins of the Education and Early Childhood Development docket from Rogicha.
The County Secretary Dadhe Boru promptly directed the impacted chief officers to commence the handover process, culminating in a comprehensive transition scheduled by February 16.
Governor Guyo’s unexpected moves on Friday evening aim to infuse these pivotal county departments, integral to public services, with fresh leadership and innovative ideas, setting an early litmus test for the administration’s adaptability and progress.
Last September, Guyo put his cabinet and chief officers to task by signing performance contracts.
He told his officers that effective delivery of services to residents was not to be compromised whatsoever.
“What we have witnessed is a very serious activity. The terms and the contents of these documents were negotiated with each one of us, so there should be no reason why the results that we are looking for cannot be achieved,” Guyo said.
He reminded them of the oath they took while being sworn in and emphasised upholding integrity and discipline.
“Each one of you, be it a CEC, a chief officer or director you have your job cut out. You know what is required of you at all times. You should remain professional and adhere to set standards,” Guyo noted.
Isiolo has 31 chief officers who were vetted and approved by the county assembly.
County chief officers are authorised to delegate power and are answerable to the county executive committee member in their respective dockets.
Their key functions include the day-to-day administration of departmental activities and the provision of strategic policy direction for effective service delivery within the departments they are assigned to.
They also implement policies and programmes within departments.
While CECs are equivalent to Cabinet Secretaries in the national government, chief officers are equivalent to Principal Secretaries.
The power to deploy a county public officer within a department is vested in the county chief officer.
Governor Guyo told the officers to ensure value for money, enhance accountability and drive performance in their departments.
"We must get out of our comfort zone and seek funds so that we achieve our mandate. You must deliver, it's the only option," Guyo added.