Over 100 interns who were recruited through the State Department of Housing and Development for various menial-practical jobs in Makueni County have been challenged to respect the chain of command, maintain high discipline and prioritize on service delivery.
They were further urged to uphold professionalism and commitment in their daily duties.
The call was made by the Makueni County Commissioner (CC), Khalif Abdullahi, during an induction of the interns at the Green Park Social Hall in Wote town in Makueni Sub-county on Monday.
Consequently, Abdullahi reminded them that it was not just a placement but a calling to show professionalism, integrity and innovation and rise above mediocrity in the service to the country, as it will shape their future.
“I encourage you to work closely with the County and the National government officers, respect the chain of command, maintain discipline and prioritize service delivery. This opportunity is not just a placement; it is a calling to serve and rise above mediocrity,” said Abdullahi during the induction of the 108 interns who turned up for the training.
“It is an invitation to build a legacy that you will be proud of for years from now. As interns, you are entering the public service at a time when professionalism, discipline, innovation, and integrity are needed more than ever. Our communities are looking up to you for solutions for the challenges facing them,” he added.
Also, the CC reminded the interns that through the induction, they will be equipped with knowledge, values, procedures, ethical conduct, safety standards and their responsibilities during the one-year period.
The Administrator asked them to be present during the one-day training, where interns who have done courses such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, quantity surveyors, physical planning, economics, community development studies, ICT, and journalism, among others, turned up.
The interns will be working at the various government projects, including the Affordable Housing and modern markets that have been initiated by the National government across Makueni County.
Among the Affordable Housing programmes are the Wote project, where 755 units are being constructed at a cost of over Sh2 billion and that is currently at 53 per cent and Makindu, where the awarding was done last to construct 900 units at a cost of Sh2.2 billion.
Other housing units are coming up at Kikima and also the revival of the stalled civil servants’ quarters of 162 units.
The National government has initiated modern economic stimulus markets across the County which include Wote (Sh347 million), Mutulani (Sh54 million), Makindu (Sh59 million), Kilala (Sh59 million), Kikima (Sh53 million) and Kasikeu (Sh53 million).
Other construction is ongoing at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Makindu and Kilungu Campuses: 580 beds at a cost of Sh230 million each.
The County Commissioner said construction is going on at the Technical Institutions including Wote, Kilome, David Mbiti and SEKU-Mtito Andei, each with a 340-bed capacity, at a cost of Sh143 million each.
Speaking at the same forum, the State Department for Housing Eastern Regional Director, Patrick Mwangi, challenged the interns to be good ambassadors, wherever they will be posted and serve accordingly.
Mwangi reminded them that the government will pay them a monthly stipend of Sh25,000 and informed them that they are there to be exposed to practical work, to enable them to venture into private practice or even start their own companies.
“We expect very high standards of discipline at the site. prove whom you are. Laziness will not be entertained. Time is of the essence; learn to be at your place of work on time,” said Mwangi.
Only 108 out of 140 interns turned up for the training.
During the training, State Department for Housing Human Resource Development Officer Joan Mochama led her colleague Charity Wamboi to induct the interns on issues pertaining to public service.
Present included Makueni County Director of Housing, Boniface Mule; Makueni Sub-county Deputy County Commissioner, Paul Langat; and County Director of Labour, Mercy Mango, among other government officials.
By Patrick Nyakundi
