GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 16991

Under the Constitution, the public service has specific obligations whose objective is to provide a solid base for the effective and efficient delivery of public services. One of these foundations is expressed in terms of the values and principles as articulated in Articles 10 and 232 of the Constitution. The evaluation on the extent to which the public service has complied with these values and principles provides a mechanism for confirming the progress realized in the fulfillment of the obligations. The report has analyzed the current situation for the values and principles and the actions taken by the Board to increase the levels of compliance. Findings in this evaluation report show that, during the period under review, the County Government continued to realize significant levels of compliance. While the County has made unlimited efforts in improvement of levels of compliance with values and principles, there is still a lot to be done. The Board would wish to request for cooperation from various arms of the County Government in the journey of promoting values and principles. I take this opportunity to thank the County Executive, with the leadership of H.E the Governor, and the County Assembly for their untiring efforts in instilling a culture of continuous improvement on compliance with values and principles in the County Government of Kitui. DR. FLORENCE M. MAKINDI, (PhD), Chairperson, Kitui County Public Service Board. 1 CHAPTER ONE: THE EXTENT OF COMPLIANCE WITH VALUES AND PRINCIPLES Preface This chapter enumerates the activities that demonstrate the extent to which the values and principles referred to in Articles 10 and 232 are complied with in the County public service. It also explains the actions taken by the Board in the promotion of the specific values and principles. The Extent of Compliance 2.1 Article 10: National Values And Principles of Governance A) PATRIOTISM, NATIONAL UNITY, SHARING AND DEVOLUTION OF POWER, THE RULE OF LAW, DEMOCRACY AND PARTICIPATION OF THE PEOPLE Situational Analysis The County Government has been unable to meet the 30% requirement on ethnic minority which could have enhanced National unity. This has been due to the region being a hardship area and as a result not attractive to job seekers from other parts of Kenya. Political ethnic profiling has also contributed to people tending to serve in their ethnic backyards, this has resulted to more officers requesting for transfer of services to other Counties. Action Taken The Board continues to advocate for patriotism and as a result, County colours and symbols are incorporated in all official County documents, information, education and communication materials, projects’ branding, directional signage to County offices and painting of County Government buildings. The National and the County flags 27th December, 2024 THE KENYA GAZETTE are being hoisted within the County Government offices and singing of National and County anthems is highly emphasised. The County Government continues to participate in National holidays while ensuring that County offices have portraits of the President of the Republic of Kenya. The Board has, and continues to draw the attention of the County employees to the documents uploaded on the County website which include the Constitution of Kenya 2010, Kitui County Human Resource and Procedures Manual 2018 and other relevant laws. The Board continues to encourage job applications from all parts of the Country through making advertisement of job opportunities in high circulating National newspapers and in Kitui County Website (a standard policy). The Board has always advocated for better working conditions for all employees across the County. It is in this year that, the Board recruited the first lot of Member – Mwingi Municipality after Mwingi town was elevated to Municipal level. This was not there in the Kitui County Public Service. The Board also advertised for the position of Member – Kitui Municipality for the second time since devolution. Democracy and participation of the people has been and continues to be realised through policy formulation forums; the education forums, public participation on Finance Bill and other stakeholder consultative meetings on development which are highly publicised. The County Government has developed a program for Community Level Infrastructure Development where each Ward is allocated a certain budget for activities they consider important through public participation forums. B) HUMAN DIGNITY, EQUITY, SOCIAL JUSTICE, INCLUSIVENESS, EQUALITY, HUMAN RIGHTS, NON- DISCRIMINATION AND PROTECTION OF THE MARGINALISED Situational Analysis Review on the compliance regarding human dignity, equity, social justice, inclusiveness, equality, human rights, non-discrimination and protection of the marginalised was done during this calendar year. The social facilities within the County Government offices were sufficient only that some ablution blocks were lacking gender labels. Some markets lacked public toilets and some have dilapidated and need renovation. Analysis of the composition of the County public service was done. It was established that the legal requirements for youth and gender in appointments had been met; however, there is still need for concerted effort to address the requirements for persons with disability and the marginalised. The Board has noted inconsistencies in the schemes of service being applied in promoting, re-designating and handling other Human Resource issues that needs the same and has initiated gradual customization so as to harmonize the gaps. Action Taken The County Government to constructing more ablution blocks in public places like markets, schools and bus parks and create awareness to the general public to construct pit latrines in their homes in an effort to ensure that Kitui County realise zero open defecation to promote human dignity as well as renovating the existing social amenities. The Board is fully committed to continuous monitoring of compliance to ensure that the ratio of male to female employees remains within the constitutional threshold. The Board has liaised with the National Association of Persons with Disability to keep them abreast with all the adverts in an effort to bridge the gap of meeting the constitutional threshold on recruitment of persons with disability. The Board has enhanced the methods of advertising for job vacancies, including use of County Website, social platforms and distributing copies of the adverts through County Administration (Ward and Village Administrators) to ensure that more potential applicants from all regions get the information and in good time. Affirmative action is being undertaken to address the disadvantaged groups such as minority ethnic communities in the County (e.g. the Tharaka, Arab, Somali, Muslim), persons with disabilities, youth and women. The County is mainstreaming HIV/AIDS, gender and disability in implementing various policies as can be reflected in the segmentation of County contracts and also in appointments. The County Government is working with development partners and faith based organizations such as Centre for Health Solutions, Christian Blind Mission (CBM), Centre for Disease Control (CDC), Centre for International Health, Education and Biosecurity (CIHEB) and Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK) to address HIV/AIDS among other health care issues. The County Government has continued to prioritise projects on water such as roof water harvesting systems (Water Tanks), drilling and rehabilitation of bore holes, construction/De- silting of earth and sand dams as well as water reservoirs to ensure that County residents, especially those in arid and marginalised regions, have access to portable water for drinking and other purposes. The Board is in the process of modifying the Schemes of Service in order to fit the situation in Kitui Public Service and ensure fair and equal treatment of staff working in the same career line. This is will ensure staff have grown career wise and a proper succession management. So far, the Board has accomplished customizing the ECDE Teachers Scheme of Service. The Enforcement Scheme of service is being finalized as well so as to address the gaps identified. C) GOOD GOVERNANCE, INTEGRITY, TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY Situational Analysis County Ministries/Departments have developed service charters in both English and Kiswahili versions this includes the new Departments established by the current Government. The mechanisms for monitoring integrity, transparency and accountability in the County public service are in place. Action Taken The Board has advised on the need to implement the service charters fully. The complaints handling procedure has been streamlined in the County Government and employees have been sensitised on complaints handling. There are suggestion boxes in every Ministry for officers and general public to channel their grievances. In order to enhance transparency and accountability, each project goes through the process of public participation to ensure involvement of the people in development issues. Each project have signage which details the contractor, supervisor, source of funds and the financial year it was initiated D) SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Situational Analysis Kitui County Integrated Development Plan (KCIDP), which highlights the development needs of the County, has continuously guided the County development projects. The development projects contained in this document have been evaluated based on their sustainability. As a result, the projects initiated are considered viable and sustainable. The incumbent Governor has already initiated the third CIDP (CIDP III) for the next five years. Action Taken The County Government continues to implement projects in compliance with the KCIDP which is modelled on the Kenya Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals. The County Public Service Board has successfully continued to provide the human resource necessary for the implementation of planned activities. Agriculture, Health care reforms, Education, Mineral Resources, Tourism, Road Connectivity, Information and ICT, Women and Youth empowerment programs and programs that support PLWD, Micro and small enterprises-scale business across Kitui County, Rural electricity and Boda boda Sector among others are pillars of H.E the Governor’s manifesto meant to not only spur the growth of the County economy but also improve the citizens’ livelihoods. The County Government has started construction of Industrial Park at Kanyonyoo market. This will bring more goods and services to the people of Kitui under one roof. The activities will also grow the town attracting more and big companies around, it is also aimed at creating employment for Kituians. THE KENYA GAZETTE 27th December, 2024 Kitui County is among the Counties that has recruited the Community Health Promoters (CHP) an activity that was officially released by the President of the Republic of Kenya whose aim is to educate people on matters of health at village/ grassroots levels, promote good health practices, make referrals for individuals who need more health checks, and monitor their progress after treatment among other duties. Kitui County currently has 2,470 Community Health Promoters. Their work cannot be ignored as it will have immense impact on health of common citizens as well as improving their wellbeing since they are paid some stipend which is a way of creating employment. Kitui County Government has installed an Oxygen Plant in Kitui County Referral Hospital which is made to produce oxygen for Kitui County Hospital, the project is in its initial stage and the people of Kitui have great hopes on the project as patients will not lose their lives because of lack of oxygen in our hospitals. Kitui County has also installed a cancer centre at Kitui County Referral Hospital, which is aimed at taking care of the cancer patients instead of travelling to Nairobi and other parts of the Country with the machine for cancer patients. This is a milestone away from losing people out of the deadly silent disease. In the course of the calendar year, H.E The Governor officially opened an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for patients who are in the verge of losing their lives. Kitui County currently has two (2) ICU beds at Kitui County Referral Hospital. 2.2 ARTICLE 232: VALUES AND PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC SERVICE A) HIGH STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS Situational Analysis Standards of professional ethics were evaluated on the basis of code of conduct and ethics for officers in the public service; training for skills development; membership to professional bodies and declaration of income, assets and liabilities. There was moderate compliance with professional ethics following continuous sensitization workshops and training. Action Taken Sensitisation programmes on values and principles aimed at creating awareness, development of teamwork, improvement of service delivery and overall culture change in the County public service were undertaken. To increase access to knowledge on the officers’ professionalism, the Board has been drawing the attention of the County Government employees to the relevant legislations and laws which have been uploaded to the County website. Being a wealth and liabilities declaration period, the Board is keen on ensuring all staffs are in compliant of the same. B) RESPONSIVE, PROMPT, EFFECTIVE, IMPARTIAL AND EQUITABLE PROVISION OF SERVICES Situation Analysis The Board established that service delivery had not reached satisfactory standards as a result of slow integration of officers having been drawn from diverse organizational culture and work ethics. Action Taken The Board has been undertaking sensitization workshops on values and principles of public service aimed at transformative leadership, development of teamwork and improvement of service delivery and overall culture change in the public service. County Ministries/Departments have been encouraged to hold regular management and staff meetings to enhance effectiveness and teamwork in the provision of public services. The County Government has continued the use of Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS), where all financial transactions are processed using the system, ZIZI system for revenue collection is also in place. This has enhanced the speed of service delivery. The County has successfully trained contractors in the best practices and preparedness needed to apply for a tender in Government entities. This include but not limited to registration of Company, IFIMS system operations, technical knowledge needed on doing tenders, constitutional preservations for women, People With Disability (PWD) and Youth - Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) program. The Board undertakes mystery shopping to assess the quality of services offered in the County public service. C) FAIR COMPETITION AND MERIT AS THE BASIS OF APPOINTMENTS AND PROMOTIONS Situation Analysis Appointments and promotions were and continue to be guided by meritocracy and fair competition. They are also guided by other legal provisions such as the need to include communities not adequately represented in appointments to or promotions in the public service, the balance of gender (meeting the requirement on gender rule); consideration of minority ethnic groups; and persons living with disabilities. Action Taken As at 30th November, 2023, the County Public Service Board had appointed a total of 1,668 officer, this officers were the Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers. One (1) officer (teachers) was identified as person living with disability. The Board has enhanced its recruitment process to adequately capture data on persons living with disability. The Board continues to encourage them to apply for advertised positions, and also register with the Association for persons living with disability. Meritocracy continues to be the guiding principle in the recruitment process and applicants are accorded equal opportunity. 362 officers were promoted based on meritocracy and the provisions of various schemes of service. The Board confirmed 367 officers to permanent and pensionable terms of employment. It is in this year that the Governor directed every ministry to form the Stagnation Committee so as to solve the stagnation issues on staff who have hit the competitive level of promotion to ensure staff progression on their careers. CHAPTER TWO—OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE PROMOTION OF VALUES AND PRINCIPLES The Board encountered various challenges in ensuring that values and principles were upheld. These included: (a) Kitui County has low internet connectivity, making the officers especially those working outside the County Headquarters unable to effectively communicate and access internet. (b) Insufficient public awareness on the role of citizens in governance and therefore low citizen participation in development issues. (c) Inadequate knowledge on the constitutional provisions on devolution and other relevant legislations among public officers. (d) Inadequate budgetary allocation to enhance the promotion of values and principles. (e) Delay by National Treasury to release funds on time so as to facilitate the exercise (promoting values and principles to the staff and general public). (f) High expectation of the public in securing jobs with the County due to high rate of unemployment in the Country and the available few job opportunities. (g) Officers from outside the County requesting for inter-county transfers and declining positions in Kitui owing to the vastness of the county, semi-arid climate, insecurity, the difficult terrain thus crushing efforts towards patriotism, national unity and inclusiveness, and (h) Persons with disabilities and other special groups not applying for positions in the County while those that apply fail to indicate their status. Many officers and candidates with disabilities are yet to register with the relevant body. 27th December, 2024 THE KENYA GAZETTE CHAPTER THREE—PLANNED PROGRAMS IN UNDERTAKING PROMOTION OF VALUES AND PRINCIPLES 1. Attend training/ Workshop at Kenya School of Government on promotion of values and principles. 2. Develop, produce and distribute more information, education and communication material on values and principles in Kitui County. 3. Sensitization workshops on values and principles; 4. Induct new staff with regard to values and principles. 5. Monitor compliance with the values and principles. 6. Advise the County Government on its obligations under international treaties and conventions on need basis. 7. Recruit the required personnel for the full implementation of KCIDP III (2023-2027) whose formulation stage ended in October; and 8. Advocate and lead in the finalization of staff establishment to ensure that any recruitment is within optimal staffing level. CHAPTER FIVE—RECOMMENDATIONS The Board recommendations are as follows: (a) Partnering with the County Assembly for public awareness creation on the role of citizens in governance and the need for full participation in development agenda and activities and employment creation. (b) Facilitation in creation of an enabling environment for the exploitation of natural resources to create jobs for Kitui County residents. (c) Observation of OSHA guidelines in public offices. (d) Provision of adequate budgetary allocation to carry out activities that enhance promotion of values and principles in the County public service. (e) Establishing points for public services at Huduma Centre. (f) Establishment of Public Service Centres at every Sub County headquarter. (g) Partnering with Internet service providers for better internet connectivity, and (h) Decentralization of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities offices for easy access of its services. Conclusion The County public service registered substantial levels of compliance with the values and principles referred to in Articles 10 and 232 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010. However, there is still an allowance for improvement in order to ensure that citizens of Kitui County fully benefit from the gains envisaged by the Constitution of Kenya 2010. The Board appreciates the cooperation accorded by the office of the Governor, the office of the County Secretary, County Ministries/Departments and Sub County Administration during evaluation of the extent to which values and principles have been complied with in Kitui County public service. Further, the Board appreciates the members of the Kitui County Assembly for the oversight role and their periodic advisories towards ensuring compliance with the values and principles and continuous education to members of the public on the same. References: 1. The Constitution of Kenya, 2010. 2. The County Governments Acts, Number 17 of 2012. 3. Public Service (Values and Principles Act), 2015. 4. Leadership and Integrity, Act 2015. 5. Kitui County Integrated Development Plan (KCIDP) 2023– 2027. WILFRED N. MUTUA, Deputy Board Secretary, Human Resource and Planning, MR/6524184 Kitui County Public Service Board.