The County Government of Homa Bay, in partnership with the Kenya Red Cross, successfully concluded a three-day induction training for newly appointed Sub-County and Ward Administrators.

The training, held in Homa Bay from March 11 to 13, 2025, aimed to equip administrators with essential public service knowledge, governance principles, and leadership skills to enhance service delivery at the grassroots level.

The training covered a wide range of topics, including public participation, intergovernmental relations, public finance management, and ethical governance.

The county Chief Officer for Governance, Mr. Isaac Ongiri, in his presentation on the role of sub county and ward administrators, called on the officers to be embrace good governance.

“You are the link between the people and the leadership, therefore you must work to ensure that services reach every corner of our community and that local voices are heard at the highest levels,” He said.

Ruth Aloo, CEO of the Public Service Board, underscored the importance of ethical governance, referencing the Public Officers Ethics Act, 2003. "Public officers must uphold integrity, accountability, and transparency to foster trust and confidence in public service," she remarked.

Eng. Dan Ogenga, in his presentation on the Governor’s Service Delivery Monitoring and Evaluation (GSDM&E) project, emphasized the importance of public participation in project management.

"The foundation of public participation lies in the formation of village cluster units, which serve as localized platforms for residents to voice their needs," he said.

The administrators were taken through training on disaster-risk management by Red Cross county coordinator, Mr. Samuel Omondi to help them understand their role in disaster mitigation. “Our commitment is to empower you with knowledge you need to prevent, mitigate and recover from disasters ensuring you leave no one behind when emergencies occur,” He said.

Rose Amoko, the County Human Resource Officer presenting on behalf of the county director HR, highlighted the significance of adhering to HR policies and procedures. She stressed the need for accountability and transparency in public service, stating, "Performance contracts are legally binding obligations that require officers to undertake specified tasks within a given period, ensuring improved service delivery."

The training also addressed the role of administrators in public finance management, with Mr. Willys Bolo, Deputy Director of Economic Planning and Budgeting, emphasizing the need for prudent financial management.

"Public funds must be managed transparently to ensure equitable resource allocation and efficient service delivery," he said.

The induction training was officially closed by the county executive committee member for governance, Hon. Roselyn Omollo who stated that the induction is part of Homa Bay County's broader strategy to strengthen governance and improve service delivery.

“By equipping administrators with the necessary skills and knowledge, the county aims to foster a more inclusive, transparent, and accountable public service system.”