• “We believe the next administration will do better than what we achieved as pioneers,” Mandago said.
• "My team and I will work towards making Uasin Gishu a model county through economic transformation,” he said.
Image: MATHEWS NDANYI
Outgoing Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago has commended the positive impact devolution has brought into the county and the nation.
He said devolution has been an asset to the county government and the people.
Mandago spoke during the handing over ceremony of the county’s leadership to his successor Jonathan Chelilim.
As the first Uasin Gishu governor, he laid the foundation of devolution since its inception in 2013.
Mandago promised to support the incoming governor and his administration to ensure residents fully reap the fruits of devolution.
This he says will be done through implementation of key development projects in infrastructure, health, agriculture and education.
“We are leaving behind a professional county public service with systems that are working and we believe the next administration will do better than what we achieved as pioneers.
"Our work will be to support and ensure that devolution continues to work,” Mandago said.
Chelilim, who said will deliver to the Uasin Gishu residents, promised to fast-tracking the completion of the development projects left behind by the previous government.
He also assured residents that he will work closely with the national government and in close collaboration with various stakeholders as well as local leaders.
The governor said the partnerships will provide an enabling business environment especially in the jua kali sector through lobbying for local and international markets.
“The strategic areas are aimed at fulfilling the community and individual aspiration. I identify with our manifesto of improving the quality of life for our citizens.
"My team and I will work towards making Uasin Gishu a model county through economic transformation,” he said.
Chelilim further commended the key steps the outgoing administration had made in terms of development.
He said his county public service will embrace equality and uniformity to facilitate equitable distribution of resources, to achieve sustainable economic development.
“I will endeavour to grow our physical capital, which include basic infrastructure that people need to make a living.
"Also, the tools and equipment that they use including transport and communication systems, shelter, water and sanitation systems and more importantly create a strong financial system and regular inflow of cash,” Chelilim said.
The governor further said his administration is committed to invest on and streamline key sectors of infrastructure, health, agriculture, education and youth and gender affairs among others.
Ten years down the line, since the inception of the devolved county governments in Kenya, its fruits have been realised by the government and citizens as development projects moved closer to the people at the grassroots level.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)