The County Government of Bungoma will complete the process of employing village administrators in this financial year (2015-2016).
According to the County’s Public Administration Chief Officer David Kibiti, the process of hiring village administrators will commence soon.
Process of hiring to start
Speaking to West media limited, Kibiti said the process was delayed as it was waiting for the enacting of the relevant laws regarding those in charge of the smallest devolution unit –villages.
‘’You are aware that His Excellency the Governor Ken Lusaka, recently launched some laws that had been passed by the County Assembly, among them permitting the operation of Village administration under a village administrator,” he said.
‘’There shall also be village council of elders, who shall be vetted and of course must adhere to the gender balance rule of two third majorities,” Kibiti added.
Village administrators vs Village headmen and women
Mr. Kibiti used the opportunity to refute the belief by majority of people that village administrators will be similar or same as village headmen and women commonly referred to as ‘mukasas’.
“These will be public servants employed by the Public Service Board, that will be in charge of a larger area than the village headmen.”
The Chief Officer does not, however, rule out the possibility of some headmen, who qualify, being absorbed in the capacity.
Transfers of Ward administrators
Commenting on the recent transfers of ward administrators, Kibiti terms them as normal transfers that are permissible to any public servant, adding that they were not based on merit or any other factors, except the need for them to work in a new environment that is far from home and also to help them serve their areas diligently without interference.
“Any public servant agrees to a contract of working anywhere when called upon. These were normal transfers and not as a result of any poor performance or such a reason whatsoever.” He said.
This hiring will mark the end of the implementation of devolution in terms of coming up with the necessary devolution units, since villages are the smallest units.
Devolution so far
Mr. Kibiti took the opportunity to briefly express his gratitude at the positive lane devolution has had in improving the livelihood of the common ‘mwananchi’, giving an example of the success of huduma centres, which he says are now at ward level.
‘’We intend to have a huduma centre office in every ward. So far nine are complete, with the rest due after we get the funding from the County Government,” Kibiti stated.
“These huduma centres are meant to get most services closer to residents.”
Kibiti also noted that there have been several challenges in the building of these centres, with the outstanding one being wrangles over land with the national government or some land owners who may have acquired their lands illegally through grabbing.
He sums up by asking citizens to read the Constitution to understand how the Constitution works and which authorities are entrusted with which roles citing the confusion mounting among most Kenyans as to what are the roles of senators, governors, Members Of County Assembly (MCAs), Ward Administrators etc.
“Our people must equip themselves with knowledge on what the Constitution says about devolution, so as to be able to rightfully claim what belongs to them and in the right offices.” He posed.