West Pokot County staff sign performance contracts

Kenya: West Pokot county officials have signed a one-year performance contract with the Office of the Governor, committing to attain set targets.

The officials included county executive committee (CEC) members and those on the County Public Service Board.

Governor Simon Kachapin, who also signed a work contract advised the officials to put more effort into serving the public.

“What we have witnessed today is a pledge committing ourselves to the county's growth. Everyone should ensure they meet set targets at the end of the given period,” he said.

County Public Service Board Chairman Jackson Nguriareng warned that no official will be promoted unless they achieve their targets.

"I know you have set targets because the public also have high expectations from you. You must commit to your responsibilities if you want to achieve them," he advised.

The county officials were speaking yesterday in Kapenguria after witnessing the signing of the performance contracts.

Reward scheme

He said that the board will soon develop a motivation scheme for best performers.

“We encourage you to endeavour to reach higher as we develop a scheme to reward and motivate performers,” said Nguriareng.

Assembly Speaker Robert Katina said members will scrutinise officers' progress at the end of each year.

Meanwhile, the national government will distribute relief food to residents of West Pokot, currently facing acute hunger.

Area County Commissioner, Seif Matata disclosed that his office had made a request to the Ministry of Devolution, which has since promised to dispatch the relief food on Sunday.

Biting hunger

He said the last batch of relief food released to the sub-county was not sufficient, compelling his office to seek more information on the hunger situation from the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA).

"NDMA established that about 73,000 people in the county were in need of food. We have submitted the same report to the Devolution ministry," said Matata.

Matata assured Kamuria and Kamoron residents, who were previously excluded from the programme that they have been factored into the next distribution programme.

“We expect enough food for everyone in need. The Ministry (Devolution) has affirmed it will distribute the relief rations from October 5. I call on all residents to be patient,” he said.

In the previous disbursement, the national government distributed over 200 bags of relief food to affected areas, while the county government provided 400 bags of maize and beans.

Turkana, Pokot and Baringo are counties most affected by severe drought.