Nandi County Commissioner Wilberforce Kilonzo has called on government agencies to take firm oversight over all national government projects in Nandi County, urging administrators to step up public sensitisation on the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
Speaking on Tuesday during a consultative meeting in Kapsabet town that brought together the national BETA team, National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) in Nandi and County Heads of Departments, Kilonzo underscored the critical role of coordinated supervision in ensuring timely and successful implementation of projects.
He directed Deputy County Commissioners and chiefs to intensify grassroots engagements by disseminating accurate information about ongoing and upcoming BETA projects, noting that public awareness is key to restoring confidence in government programmes.
“All government projects must be closely monitored to guarantee quality delivery and value for money,” Kilonzo said. “Our administrators at the grassroots have a duty to ensure wananchi understand what the government is doing and how these initiatives will transform livelihoods,” he added.
The County Commissioner emphasized the need to shift public perception and cultivate trust in State institutions, saying Kenyans must begin to see tangible results from development interventions.
“There is a pressing need to change the mindset of our people. We must foster belief in the government’s ability to deliver effective services,” he stated.
Kilonzo further reminded departmental heads to uphold patriotism and professionalism while discharging of their duties, urging them to champion initiatives that directly stimulate socio-economic development within the county.
“It is imperative that we embrace work that clearly drives development. Every department must align its priorities with the broader national agenda,” he added.
Dr. Louis Ronoh, Advisor in the Office of the President and Head of the Government Delivery Unit (GDU) in the Rift Valley region, echoed the County Commissioner’s sentiments, stressing the importance of countering misinformation surrounding government programmes.
Dr. Ronoh noted that misleading narratives risk undermining progress and eroding public trust, despite the substantial efforts being undertaken across sectors.
“There is significant work currently being implemented under the government’s mandate. It is our responsibility to communicate facts and ensure citizens receive accurate information,” he said.
He called on stakeholders, including local leaders and development partners, to play an active role in supporting and safeguarding government initiatives to ensure their successful completion.
Participants at the meeting reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening inter-agency collaboration and improving accountability mechanisms to accelerate the rollout of key projects in infrastructure, agriculture, health and economic empowerment under the BETA framework.
The Nandi forum forms part of a broader public engagement strategy aimed at enhancing coordination between the national government and county-based administrative structures to drive sustainable development across the Rift Valley region.
By Geoffrey Satia
