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Kenya, 9 November 2026 - Delegates attending the County Public Service Boards National Consultative Forum, which got underway in Kisumu on Monday, have been advised to take precautions against heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds being witnessed in the Lakeside City.
The Chief Guest at the forum was Prime Cabinet Secretary and Minister for Diaspora and Foreign Affairs Musalia Mudavadi. Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o welcomed the chairpersons and members of the County Public Service Boards, as well as all other invited guests, to the Lakeside City.
The five-day forum runs from 9 to 13 November 2026.
During the forum, delegates expressed a desire to explore Kisumu City and take part in excursions. Kisumu County Commissioner Mohammed Mwabudzo said that while security is good, weather uncertainties remain a key concern.
“I take this privilege and it is my pleasure to welcome you to Kisumu County,” he said.
He added that in the over four months he has been in the county, the hospitality of the Kisumu people has proved unmatched and genuine.
“We have made arrangements for the excursion and put everything necessary in place. I know the lake is a very enjoyable natural facility in this county. I am certainly sure you are going to enjoy it on Thursday,” he said.
He said there was no doubt that the work of the Public Service Boards had shaped the performance of all 47 counties in Kenya.
“Kisumu is a very secure county. The only thing I would wish to alert you to is the rainfall, which began two days ago. So for those who will be going out late in the evening, I think we need to be very mindful of the heavy and strong wind that normally accompanies the rainfall, as we have seen over the last two days,” he warned.
Delegates planning to go on excursions have been advised to return early.
Key issues discussed, among others, included a new way of holding officers accountable and responsible, rather than relying on paperwork appraisals that are common in many offices. Motivating staff was also discussed, as it rejuvenates workers and gives them more drive and agility to deliver.
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Kisumu Deputy Governor Mathews Owili said Kisumu had managed to improve the work environment in the County Public Service Board, and that it is important for devolved units to be considerate and settle payments on time so that workers remain motivated.
“As the Deputy Governor of Kisumu for nine years and counting, I work daily with our workforce: the nurses, the ECDE teachers, the engineers, the revenue officers and even those I have not mentioned. I know their joys and their frustrations. So this meeting here is very key for me,” he said.
He focused on workforce engagement and placing the right people in the right positions.
“A county is only as strong as its workers. We can build beautiful offices, we can launch beautiful projects, but if the person behind the desk feels ignored, undervalued or stuck, service delivery dies. Remember that the public service in counties, just like in the national government, exists so that services can be delivered to the people,” Dr Owili stated.
He said that in Kisumu, engagement is not simply a slogan but means three things. The first is dignity, where the county aims to always pay and promote on time, say thank you, and offer small recognitions here and there to motivate the workforce. The second is listening, by involving workers in formulating policies that affect them so that their input is incorporated. The third is training and mentorship, to create a clear path for promotion.
“No worker should retire in the same job group they started in 15 years ago because the system forgot them,” he said.
Dr Owili cited Article 232 of the Constitution to underscore the need for the right people in the right positions.
“Public service must be based on merit, competence and fair competition. Let us put the right person in the right position,” he said.
He urged leaders to ensure that a clinician is placed in a health facility, not in a procurement office; an engineer is on site, not filing papers; and a teacher is in the classroom, not punished with transfers that are sometimes unnecessary.
He said wrong placement of the workforce is a highway to failure, wasting talent and frustrating good workers to the point of giving up.