FAR REACHING CHANGES TO REIN IN EXPENDITURE IN KAKAMEGA PROPOSED
Kakamega Governor H.E. Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya has directed
introduction of far reaching changes to rein in recurrent expenditure
and enhance revenue collection.
The measures include scrapping of
office floats and instead have the department of Public Service and
Administration centrally purchase items required for day to day running
of offices.
The governor also reiterated that subjective punitive transfers of staff should be discouraged as this has far reaching negative impact on staff welfare. Instead, he added, the County Human Resources Advisory Committee (CHRAC) should handle disciplinary cases in a structured and objective manner. “Misuse of official transport is of great concern to us, more so when such vehicles are used beyond official hours without written authority,” said the county boss.
The governor pointed out that from now henceforth internal audit reports will be presented during the regular bi-weekly meetings for senior executives to ensure accountability and better management of government programmes. The other key decision is plans to recruit an Accountant General in the County Treasury to closely monitor expenditure and ensure compliance to financial regulations.
On service delivery and revenue collection, the governor said Kakamega
will be the first devolved unit to establish community area councils to
ensure that wananchi at the grassroots level are sufficiently empowered
to manage government programmes at that level.
He said all ongoing projects must be adequately budgeted for to ensure completion by 2022.
On revenue collection, he said: “There will be no compromise. Targets must be met.”
On a brighter side, the governor said the department of health should step up efforts to construct a doctors plaza at the Teaching and Referral Hospital complex to house visiting consultants from India who will help Kenyans cut down high costs of seeking their services abroad.
He added that the proposed eye hospital at the new facility will be one of its kind in Africa.
Also present were CECMs, Chief Officers, County Secretary and Head of Public Service, madam Jacinta Aluoch Odhiambo, the chairperson of the County Public Service Board, madam Catherine Omweno, CBEF members, the Chief of Staff Mr. Robert Sumbi, the County Attorney, Mr. Moses Sande, CEOs of county agencies, advisors, among other senior officials.