Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse (left) with Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo during the inauguration of Kikumbulyu Division in Kibwezi West, Makueni County on November 3, 2026/MINA

The government is set to recruit additional Assistant County Commissioners following clearance by the Public Service Commission, in a move aimed at strengthening grassroots administration and bringing public services closer to residents.

Internal security Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said the Ministry would soon advertise the vacancies, urging qualified chiefs and assistant chiefs to apply for the positions.

He said the recruitment would support the operationalisation of newly gazetted administrative units and improve coordination of government programmes at the grassroots.

“As we bring these units into operation, we want qualified Kenyans, including those already serving their communities, to take up these opportunities and help make government services more accessible,” Omollo said.

The PS spoke during the inauguration of Kikumbulyu Division in Kibwezi West, Makueni County, where he also presided over its official opening and the installation of its first Assistant County Commissioner.

He was hosted by area MP Mwengi Mutuse.

The recruitment comes amid efforts to expand the national government administrative structure and address challenges faced by communities in accessing government services, particularly in remote areas.

Omollo said the creation of additional administrative units would reduce the distances residents have to travel to seek government assistance and improve the delivery of public programmes.

Kikumbulyu Division has 127 villages spread across Ngulu, Kathyaka, Ngandani and Ndetani sub-locations, with village elders expected to play a key role in community mobilisation, information sharing and coordination of government activities.

The PS challenged chiefs, assistant chiefs and village elders to demonstrate professionalism, accessibility and responsiveness in serving residents.

“The government expects these officers to be proactive in identifying challenges affecting their communities, escalating issues requiring intervention and ensuring that government policies and programmes reach the intended beneficiaries,” he said.

He called on administrators in Kibwezi Sub-County to strengthen supervision, mentorship and performance management, saying the expansion of administrative units must be matched with greater accountability.

Omollo also outlined measures being undertaken to improve the welfare and working conditions of chiefs and assistant chiefs, including additional training, increased operational funding, decentralised distribution of uniforms and the processing of delayed promotions.

He said paramilitary and legal training had enhanced officers' preparedness, adding that the Ministry was working to resolve outstanding promotion cases.

On village elders, Omollo said the Sh3,000 monthly stipend introduced under President William Ruto's administration was recognition of their contribution to grassroots governance.

He said payments began in July and were ongoing, adding that the government was also planning to provide village elders with smartphones to improve communication and coordination.

President Ruto had earlier announced that the National Treasury would allocate funds for the purchase of the devices and provide medical insurance for village elders and their families through the Social Health Authority.

Omollo further called on administrators to strengthen community security, noting that chiefs and assistant chiefs were often the first point of contact when disputes arose within families and communities.

He said their involvement in alternative dispute resolution helped prevent conflicts from escalating, while cases requiring police intervention could be referred to security agencies.

“Security management is not merely about responding to incidents when they occur; it is about building resilient communities, anticipating threats and creating conditions in which citizens can live, work and pursue their livelihoods without fear,” he said.

With national examinations underway, the PS commended administrators and security officers for supporting the Ministry of Education in providing a safe environment for candidates.

He urged them to work with parents during the school holidays to prevent school dropouts and ensure learners return to school when institutions reopen in January.

“Education is the great equaliser. It gives the child of a village elder the opportunity to stand alongside the child of a Member of Parliament, and the child of a chief the opportunity to stand alongside the child of a Principal Secretary,” he said.

He also acknowledged the role of grassroots administrators in farmer registration, saying accurate information was critical in ensuring agricultural support and other government interventions reached intended beneficiaries.

Omollo urged administrators to remain impartial and professional, saying effective governance depended on collaboration between government officers, security agencies and the communities they serve.