Sixteen newly appointed chief officers in the Trans Nzoia County Government have taken up office after a prolonged appointment process delayed by a court battle.
The officers received their contracts from Governor George Natembeya at the county headquarters in Kitale on Wednesday, October 14, a day after the County Assembly approved their nominations.
Their contracts run until March 2028.
Natembeya challenged the officers to prioritise service delivery, warning them against using their positions to enrich themselves at the expense of residents.
He emphasised their responsibility as accounting officers entrusted with public resources.
“This mandate comes with a lot of responsibility. Chief officers are accounting officers. The buck stops with you,” Natembeya said.
The governor urged the officers to ensure their departments deliver on the county government’s development agenda and manage public funds responsibly.
Among the newly appointed officials, Hosea Sismat Chemche, who will head Youth, Sports, Talent and Development, thanked Natembeya and the County Public Service Board for the appointment.
“We are grateful to God for how far He has brought us. We will work diligently to help the governor fulfil his agenda for the people,” Chemche said.
Samwel Masika, appointed to head Performance Management, also pledged to support the county’s development agenda, describing the appointment journey as lengthy.
“We thank the governor for the position. We will commit to the development agenda. The journey was long, but we thank God,” Masika said.
The 16 officers will oversee key departments, including agriculture, livestock, cooperative development, economic planning, public service management, governance, education, public works, trade and social development.
Charles Wafula Barasa will head Agriculture and Irrigation, while Emmanuel Waswa Simiyu takes charge of Livestock and Fisheries.
Godfrey Walubengo Sawenja will oversee Cooperative Development, with Ben Watemba heading Economic Planning.
Bernard Madegwa will lead Accounting and Procurement, while Philip Kapten takes charge of Public Service Management.
Wilfred Yano Chepkole will head Governance, while Samwel Masika will oversee Performance Management.
Mark Mulunda Khamila will lead Public Works and Energy, while Martin Muzungu Bunyasi takes charge of Lands, Housing and Urban Development.
Daniel Chekulu Masinde will head Early Childhood Development, while Fred Mang’eni will oversee Vocational Training.
Lucy Ng’anga Nyambura will lead Gender and Social Development, while Hosea Sismat Chemche takes charge of Youth, Sports, Talent and Development.
Catherine Kerubo Ochengo will oversee Tourism, Culture and Performing Arts, while Teresia Cherotich will head Trade and Industrialisation.
