Four newly appointed members of the West Pokot County Public Service Board have been sworn into office, formally paving the way for the new team to take charge of recruitment, promotion, discipline and human resource management in the county.

The new Board, chaired by veteran civil servant James Akudian, comprises James Loyatem, Emily Chepoghisyo and David Yator Kiptum, who were sworn in during a ceremony presided over by West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin at his official residence in Kapenguria on Monday.

According to a county appointments notice published ahead of the ceremony. The board gets a six-year non-renewable term.

The swearing-in ceremony was officiated by Kapenguria Principal Magistrate Stellah Telewa, marking the beginning of the Board’s statutory mandate at a time when residents and county employees are looking to the institution to strengthen fairness and professionalism in the management of the county public service.

Speaking during the ceremony, Governor Kachapin congratulated the new members and reminded them that the oath they had taken was more than a constitutional requirement, describing it as a solemn commitment to the people of West Pokot.

“Your decisions on recruitment, appointments, promotions, discipline and human resource management must be guided by the law, merit and fairness,” Kachapin said.

He said the Board should uphold the constitutional principles of professional ethics, accountability, transparency, impartiality, efficient use of public resources and fair competition in appointments and promotions.

The Governor particularly stressed the need for fairness and equal opportunity, saying residents who meet the requirements for employment should have confidence that they would receive a fair opportunity.

“Our diversity must therefore be reflected in our public service, while ensuring that competence, merit and the requirements of the law remain central to recruitment and career advancement,” he said.

Kachapin also challenged the Board to address staffing gaps, strengthen employee capacity, support career development and create a working environment where county employees understand both their rights and responsibilities.

He noted that the effectiveness of the county government ultimately depends on the workers who deliver services to residents, ranging from health workers and engineers to agricultural officers, ECDE teachers and ward administrators.

“We need the right people, with the right skills, in the right places,” the Governor said.

He assured the Board of the county government’s support while making it clear that such support should not interfere with its statutory independence.

“Do it professionally, independently and within the law,” Kachapin told the new members.

He urged the Board to base difficult decisions on facts, evidence and the law and to establish appropriate channels through which employees and members of the public can raise genuine concerns.

The new Chairperson, Akudian, brings nearly three decades of experience in public sector leadership and said his immediate priority would be to restore confidence and improve the welfare of county employees.

Akudian said the Board’s first 100 days would focus on engaging county departments to identify challenges affecting service delivery and develop practical solutions.

He said particular attention would be given to employee morale, performance and working conditions.

The Chairperson also spoke about the need to protect the independence of the public service from political changes, saying civil servants can find themselves caught between competing political interests whenever there is a change in county leadership.

He said he would engage political leaders across the political divide during his first 100 days to sensitise them on the importance of allowing the Board to discharge its mandate independently.

Akudian further pledged to address concerns raised by county employees, including salary-related issues, while championing their rights and privileges.

He said the Board would also examine the working environment of employees and how public servants should relate with political leadership, particularly during periods of transition following elections.

Deputy Governor Robert Komolle, meanwhile, called for political goodwill from leaders in the county and urged them to focus on development and service delivery despite political differences.

Komolle criticised what he described as attempts by some opposition leaders to use court processes to interfere with the appointment of the Board, arguing that political differences should not undermine the functioning of county institutions.

He urged political leaders to offer constructive criticism and work towards the interests of West Pokot residents and the country.

The Deputy Governor also called on aspirants seeking elective positions, from the governor’s office to the Member of County Assembly level, to remain objective and serve residents without favouritism if elected.

Other leaders attending the ceremony commended the county administration for completing the appointment process and expressed optimism that the new Board would contribute to a more efficient and professional county public service.

The Board now assumes a critical role in shaping the human resource framework of the county, including recruitment, appointments, promotions, disciplinary processes and employee development.

Its work will directly affect thousands of county employees and, ultimately, the delivery of essential services to residents across West Pokot.

The ceremony therefore marked not only the assumption of office by the four officials but also the beginning of a new phase in the management of the county’s workforce.

As Governor Kachapin reminded the Board, every application, file and administrative decision represents the interests and livelihood of a resident.

“Treat every applicant with dignity. Treat every employee with fairness. Uphold the law. Protect the integrity of the institution. And always place the public interest above personal considerations,” he said.

The new members are expected to work with the County Executive, County Assembly, employees and other relevant institutions while maintaining the independence required of the Board by law.

By Parklea Ivor