Nyeri County Commissioner (CC) Josphat Biwott has called on heads of government departments and the National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) to strengthen monitoring of state projects as a way of ensuring that the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) delivers tangible results.
Speaking at the FK resort in Nyeri county Friday, during the official opening of a two-day sensitisation workshop on implementation of BETA, Biwott reminded public servants that they were the backbone of national government at the county and sub-county level, noting that the success or failure of President Dr William Ruto’s agenda largely depended on their performance.
“Our effectiveness will be judged not just by the meetings held but by the projects completed, livelihoods improved and transformed and the bottlenecks resolved in real time. These projects’ and programmes’ success or failure are based on how we will coordinate, monitor and escalate issues on the ground,” he told the officers.
And while calling for a coordinated messaging system among government officers in regard to ongoing development projects, the CC reminded the officers of their role in translating national government policies related to BETA into actionable information for the common mwananchi.
Biwott told the officers that the effectiveness of state programmes and the credibility of government at the grassroots was hinged on strong coordination, consistent monitoring and timely escalation of challenges at the grassroots, noting that NGAOs serve as the president’s delivery and feedback channel.
“Let me emphasize that monitoring and evaluation is not an administrative formality, but a leadership obligation for all of us. The success of BETA in Nyeri County and central region at large and the credibility of government at the grassroots depend on how we will track delivery.
So, let us work together hand in hand with citizens to ensure that the fruits of economic development are not only enjoyed by a few but are shared equitably across our region,” he told Nyeri county departmental heads.
The two-day workshop was organised by the Government Delivery Service, with the aim of enhancing prompt delivery of the BETA plan.
In addition to reviewing the development progress achieved since the administration came into power in 2022, the workshop is expected to equip the participating civil servants with skills that will improve their project reporting standards and strengthen collaboration between officers working across counties, sub-counties and government departments.
Biwott said that the training will also align NGAO operations with those of the Office of the President to ensure that presidential directives and government priorities are clearly understood, accurately reported and implemented without delays.
The CC highlighted the steady progress of BETA projects in the county, including agriculture, where he cited the commendable uptake of the fertiliser subsidy programme and the price stabilisation measures in the dairy, coffee and tea sub-sectors that have benefited the local farmers.
On healthcare, Biwott noted that the government’s goal of providing universal healthcare for all was being realised, with the county being ranked sixth nationally in Social Health Authority registration after enlisting 64 per cent of its population under the health scheme.
He also noted the steady progress of the seven affordable housing projects in the county, with the Blue Valley affordable housing recording a 78 per cent completion rate.
Biwott also highlighted the recent completion and handing over of the Marigiti Economic Stimulus Programme market in Karatina as a key achievement under the housing pillar.
In ICT, he said 16 digital hubs had been established and equipped to support the youth in digital income-generating activities, while 48 public WiFi hotspots had been set up in the county as part of implementation of the digital superhighway agenda.
By Wangari Mwangi and Samuel Maina
