BY AUSTINE OGOLLA: Kwale County is playing host to the inaugural 2025 session of the Annual Convention of the National Head of Public Service and County Secretaries, an assembly dedicated to fortifying the sinews of Kenya’s public administration.
The proceedings were officially launched yesterday, Friday October 24, by Felix Koskei, Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, who set the tone for the three-day meeting.
In his opening address, Koskei painted a vision of unified governance, strongly underscoring that effective service delivery to all Kenyan citizens hinges upon a seamless and close collaboration between the National and County Governments.
He emphasized the necessity of a coordinated and accountable public sector, where the needs of the citizen are placed squarely at the heart of the governance project.
Following him, FCPA Ahmed Abdullahi, the seasoned Governor of Wajir County and Chairman of the Council of Governors (COG), took the stage.
While championing the cause of devolution, he asserted that the system was not merely functioning but thriving, and therefore merited protection “by all means.”
Governor Abdullahi lauded the empowerment of County Governments to drive their unique development agenda, but his message quickly pivoted to a point of profound frustration.
He sharply castigated the Office of the Controller of Budget, citing unnecessary delays in the disbursement of budgeted funds as a major impediment that made it “extremely difficult” for counties to run their essential services promptly.
With the stage set by both calls for unity and thinly veiled criticism, the convention commenced its deep dive into the machinery of state.
The agenda, woven throughout the three days, was rich with subjects of national consequence: a frank assessment of the hits and misses of county service delivery, meticulous discussions on governance, accountability, and anti-corruption efforts.
Focus was also placed on the weighty issues of transitioning the nation to Universal Health Coverage (UHC), enhancing Kenya’s competitiveness index, and meticulously reviewing county budget implementation.
The array of speakers reflected the gravity of the discussions, drawing senior government figures from across the administrative spectrum.
Among them were Principal Secretaries Dr Raymond Omollo (Interior) and Dr Ouma Oluga (Medical Services), alongside Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o, who found herself at the centre of the earlier criticism.
Also scheduled to guide the dialogue were Kithinji Kiragu of the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee and Ambassador Monica Juma, Secretary to the National Security Council.
Representing the vast lake region, Siaya County Secretary and Head of Public Service, Joseph Ogutu, reaffirmed his county’s commitment to adopting the best practices shared.
He pledged that Siaya would continue to prioritize effective governance, improved service delivery, and fiscal discipline, ensuring the conference’s outcomes would be translated into tangible benefits for the people back home.
As the convention progresses, the hundreds of participants are tasked with forging actionable resolutions designed to streamline intergovernmental coordination and propel public sector efficiency.
The meeting will ultimately close with a joint communiqué, a statement of unified purpose outlining the commitments from both levels of government to strengthen devolution and accelerate the pace of service delivery across the nation.
