The Kenyan government is set to recruit more Assistant County Commissioners after receiving clearance from the Public Service Commission. This move aims to strengthen grassroots administration and bring public services closer to residents. Internal security Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo announced that the Ministry would soon advertise the vacancies, urging qualified chiefs and assistant chiefs to apply for the positions.
The recruitment will support the operationalisation of newly gazetted administrative units and improve coordination of government programmes at the grassroots. Omollo stated that the creation of additional administrative units would reduce the distances residents have to travel to seek government assistance and improve the delivery of public programmes. This initiative is part of efforts to expand the national government administrative structure and address challenges faced by communities in accessing government services.
The new administrative units will have village elders play a key role in community mobilisation, information sharing, and coordination of government activities. Omollo challenged chiefs, assistant chiefs, and village elders to demonstrate professionalism, accessibility, and responsiveness in serving residents. He emphasized that the government expects these officers to be proactive in identifying challenges affecting their communities and ensuring that government policies and programmes reach the intended beneficiaries.
Omollo outlined measures being undertaken to improve the welfare and working conditions of chiefs and assistant chiefs, including additional training, increased operational funding, and decentralised distribution of uniforms. He also mentioned that the Ministry is working to resolve outstanding promotion cases. Furthermore, Omollo noted that paramilitary and legal training had enhanced officers' preparedness.
Village elders will receive a Sh3,000 monthly stipend, introduced under President William Ruto's administration, as recognition of their contribution to grassroots governance. Payments began in July and are ongoing. The government is also planning to provide village elders with smartphones to improve communication and coordination. President Ruto had earlier announced that the National Treasury would allocate funds for the purchase of the devices and provide medical insurance for village elders and their families.
Omollo called on administrators to strengthen community security, noting that chiefs and assistant chiefs are often the first point of contact when disputes arise within families and communities. He emphasized that their involvement in alternative dispute resolution helps prevent conflicts from escalating. With national examinations underway, Omollo commended administrators and security officers for supporting the Ministry of Education in providing a safe environment for candidates.
Omollo urged administrators to work with parents during the school holidays to prevent school dropouts and ensure learners return to school when institutions reopen in January. He also acknowledged the role of grassroots administrators in farmer registration, saying accurate information is critical in ensuring agricultural support and other government interventions reach intended beneficiaries. Effective governance, Omollo stressed, depends on collaboration between government officers, security agencies, and the communities they serve.
Key points
- The Kenyan government is recruiting more Assistant County Commissioners to strengthen grassroots administration and improve public service delivery.
