Huduma Centre Mombasa has recognized its staff for exemplary performance in 2025 in a move aimed at boosting morale and enhancing productivity.
The centre, which has 131 staff drawn from various government departments, was earlier this year ranked the best-performing Huduma Centre nationally.
The Employee of the Year award went to Onesmus Makalo, an officer from the National Treasury working at the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) desk at the centre.
“It was a big surprise for me to be named Employee of the Year this evening. To me, I was just working as usual, according to my standards. I like working hard and my work is at my heart. As always, I work from the heart,” said Makalo, who thanked his colleagues for recognising his efforts and nominating him for the award.
“Mombasa Huduma Centre is currently the best Huduma Centre in Kenya, as ranked by professionals. This did not happen by chance; it is because of what we do. Not to brag, but I personally have this centre and public service at heart. I have worked for many years and I enjoy seeing people excel in what they do. I like working with others, and whenever I see a team member falling behind, I go back, pick them up and we move forward together. I believe that effort has been recognised today,” he said.
Makalo noted that he is motivated to continue serving Kenyans diligently, adding that the centre will keep excelling in service delivery due to strong leadership.
He advised young public servants to remain committed to their work, saying, “It is not about what you get; think about what you give, and other things will come automatically,” he insisted.
Nawwar Hammad, the Regional Officer for the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), scooped the Best Huduma Ambassador of the Year award.
She attributed the recognition to outreach programmes she has conducted across Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River, Lamu and Taita Taveta counties.
She noted that the programmes include school visits for career talks, training teachers, and engaging principals and parents on opportunities available after Form Four, as well as how to access government scholarships through KUCCPS.
“Students have greatly benefited by accessing KUCCPS services at Huduma Centre Mombasa, alongside other government services. We have ensured they know they can get these services here, and we have also collaborated with other Huduma Centres across the Coast,” said Hammad.
Mombasa Huduma Centre Manager Harrison Yogo has led by example through servant leadership and was recognised as a national hero in the statesmanship category during this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations in Kitui County.
Yogo explained that the centre handles high traffic, second only to GPO Nairobi, serving about 2,400 customers daily.
“I have a team of 133 staff who ensure services are delivered efficiently, accessibly and transparently,” he said, adding he introduced the reward and recognition ceremony to appreciate staff efforts as a way of motivating them.
“I call it public service motivation, simply appreciating and recognising the effort staff make every day. This centre operates from 7am to 7pm without breaks or lunch hours. The staff are highly dedicated and the best way to motivate them is by acknowledging their hard work,” Yogo said.
Identity card services remain the most sought-after at the centre. The National Registration Bureau desk has a daily target of serving 400 citizens seeking ID services, a number that has doubled following the waiver of ID charges.
“In fact, the longest queue at Huduma Centre Mombasa has always been for ID services. The uptake has increased significantly,” Yogo noted.
By Sadik Hassan
