Tana River Governor Major (Rtd) Dhadho Godhana has issued a firm warning to county staff that the era of “business as usual” is over, calling for a renewed culture of efficiency, accountability and people-centred service delivery across all the departments.
Speaking after chairing the first County Executive Committee (CEC) members meeting of 2026, Godhana said laxity and slow service delivery in the past had negatively affected project implementation, stalled development and denied wananchi the services they deserve.
The governor emphasised that his administration was determined to fundamentally change the trajectory of Tana River County and align it with national development standards.
“My resolve is clear and it’s to take Tana River from where it is today and position it at par with the rest of the country. We must transform this county into an attractive destination for investors and tourists and create jobs for our people, reduce poverty and ultimately end the cycle of dependency,” he said.
He noted that his administration’s vision is to transition Tana River from a largely rural setup into a modern, competitive county, supported by new ways of doing things and faster decision-making.
Godhana called on county staff to always exhibit the highest standards of accountability, transparency, loyalty, and discipline in the conduct of government businesses.
He also emphasised that the county will continue to provide training and development opportunities to enhance staff capacity and promote a culture of discipline and accountability.
The governor signalled a shift towards improved governance, demanding greater transparency, accountability and efficiency in public service delivery, with threats of disciplinary action for underperformance, corruption, or slow progress, aiming to end complacency and deliver on promises for better services in healthcare, agriculture, education and infrastructure.
“This is a transformation agenda. It cannot be achieved if we continue doing things the same way and as a devolved unit, we must change how we conduct our business,” he said.
The governor stressed that wananchi remain the central pillar of this transformation, noting that meaningful and sustainable change must be driven from the grassroots level.
“Devolved governments are ideally supposed to be citizen-centred units. Any meaningful change must be built from the bottom up, with wananchi as active partners in development,” he said.
The governor called on county staff to double their efforts, noting that improved service delivery is critical to transforming the county’s socio-economic and political landscape.
Godhana restated his administration’s commitment to delivering critical infrastructure that will drive economic growth and lift residents from abject poverty to prosperity.
He further revealed that his administration has held numerous consultative forums with community elders, the clergy, youth, women and grassroots leaders to discuss and shape the envisioned transformation.
“The speed of service delivery must increase twofold. We must act faster and work more efficiently. All departments must move with urgency to implement our socioeconomic priorities,” he stated.
Godhana also appealed for unity and cooperation among all arms of government, urging the county assembly and national government officials to work closely with the county administration.
“This transformation agenda requires collective effort. I call upon the county assembly and our national government counterparts in the county to unite and work with us so that residents can quickly enjoy the benefits of an efficient, responsive and accountable system,” he said.
The two-term governor noted that the two levels of government should consult, collaborate and cooperate to mitigate the challenges they face in service delivery.
He stated that his administration has been guided by the constitution and stressed that it will continue to serve the people with diligence and integrity until the end of his second and final tenure in office in August 2027.
“We will work closely with the national government and continue to prioritise the well-being of our people,” he said, adding that he will continue to consolidate on the gains of his administration.
By Hussein Abdullahi
