Kenya's devolution and Planning Principal Secretaries begin work

By Standard Digital Reporter

NAIROBI, KENYA: Devolution and Planning Principal Secretaries John Konchella and Peter Magiti respectively assumed duty on Friday a day after they were sworn into office.

The two PSs joined Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru in Naivasha for the official closing of the Ministry’s planning retreat.

The duo had the opportunity to address the Ministry’s Heads of Directorates and other Senior Government Officers for the first time since their appointment.

In their remarks, both Konchella and Magiti urged the employees of the Ministry to work hard towards the transformation of the country to meet the public’s expectations.

“Transformation must start with us ourselves. The Constitution has structures to carry out this transformation and therefore we must be proactive and perform,” said Konchella.

He said the Ministry would work towards building capacity “to ensure devolved functions are not merely devolved without the capacity to support them.”

On his part Magiti called for teamwork and commitment from staff to expedite transformation.

“Let us be interdependent to each other to achieve our goals. Let us embrace change, let us transform into champions and let us engage the higher gear,” said the Planning PS.

Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru welcomed the two Principal Secretaries to the Ministry saying the Ministry was moving ahead with greater certainty and confidence.

In her closing remarks, Waiguru appreciated the efforts of her staff during the four –day retreat noting that it had helped them understand the key demands placed on the Ministry.

“The other major take-away from this retreat is the appreciation of the pressing need to transform the Public Service into an efficient and effective vehicle for the delivery of quality services to the people of Kenya,” said the Cabinet Secretary.

The CS said the success of the public service would be measured on how it responds to the needs and priorities of the youth as understood, defined and expressed by them.

“This is the time for the youth to take charge of their own development and their own destiny. We can no longer continue to say that their time is tomorrow,” she added.