By Roseyne Obala
Nairobi, Kenya: Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero Monday unveiled the much-awaited list of nominees to form his County Cabinet.
Dr Kidero made public the names of seven men and three women, whom if endorsed by the County Assembly will serve in his county government.
Surprisingly, former Town clerks John Gakuo and Tom Odongo made it in the list of those Kidero termed as competent leaders tasked with the duty of making Nairobi a world-class city.
All-Inclusive
As earlier promised that his county government will be all-inclusive, he extended an olive branch to his competitors in the governor’s race, Gakuo and Erick Mokua by giving them Cabinet slots.
The Cabinet will come handy in the realisation of Kidero’s seven-pillar manifesto, which prioritised a clean city, secure, create employment among the youth, improve security and hygiene and uplift the living conditions of low income households in Nairobi.
Kidero also announced names of four nominees out of the six selected to constitute the County Public Service Board.
Kidero explained that all nominees went through a vigorous recruitment process as stipulated by law and the nominees emerged the best.
Kidero nominated Philip Kungu as the chair of the Board, Edgar Imbamba as Secretary and three members, Josephine Gichuhi, Maurice Wambua and Chomba Munyi.
County Nominees
“These nominees have impeccable academic backgrounds and rich track records. They are professionals and have the zeal to take the county far,” noted Kidero.
Gakuo will be in charge of Water, Forestry, Environment and Natural Resources while Odongo will be in-charge of Lands, Housing and Physical Planning. Mokua heads the Public Works, Roads and Transport docket.
Other nominees to the Cabinet slots include Gregory Mwakanongo (Finance and Economic Planning), Anna Othoro (Trade, Industrialisation, Co-operative Development and Tourism), Ann Lokidor (Agriculture, Livestock Development and Fisheries), Mercy Wambui Kamau (Public Service Management), Mohammed Abdullahi (Information, Communication and E-Government), John Wanyama (Education, Youth Affairs, Culture, Children and Social Services) and Dr Timothy Kigondu (Health Services).
Kidero also named his three advisors namely Ngure Mwaniki (Economic), Gad Awounda (Legal) and Festo Fadamula (Political), while George Wainaina is his Chief of Staff.
The Governor announced that eight of the interim team members seconded by the Transition Authority would now feature permanently.
They include Lilian Ndegwa (County Secretary), Jimmy Kiamba (Chief Officer, Finance), Philomena Nzuki (Head, accounting), Stephen Osiro (Head Budget and Expenditure), Keziah Njonjo (Head Human Resource Management), Catherine Mwikali (IPPD manager), George Ombua (Head ICT) and Polycarp Abuor (Head Internal Audit).
