Annual Report: Public Service Board, Embu County, 2013

The Embu County Public Service Board's 2013 annual report details the board's activities, achievements, and challenges during its formative year. The report outlines the board's mandate, composition, and the values and principles guiding its operations. Key achievements include appointments of various county staff, including chief officers, directors, sub-county administrators, and ward administrators. The report also covers the implementation of the board's operations, including consultative meetings, public engagements, and the development of the board secretariat. Challenges such as unemployment, handling inherited staff, and managing the wage bill are discussed, along with recommendations for improvement. The report concludes with planned activities for 2014, including the rationalization of casuals, acquisition of offices, and making the board a corporate body. Annexes provide supporting documentation, such as board member lists, staff lists, and proposed organograms. The report highlights the board's commitment to fulfilling its mandate in managing human capital and promoting constitutional values and principles within Embu County.

PUBLIC SERVICE BOARD
EMBU COUNTY
Annual Report
For The Period Ended 31st December 2013
Contact Address:
P.O BOX 2871 - 60100, EMBU
Tel: [phone]

CONTENTS
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
FORWARD
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1.0: INTRODUCTION
1.1: MANADATE OF THE BOARD - 1
1.2: COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD - 4
1.3: REPORTING REQUIREMENTS OF THE BOARD - 5
1.4: MISSION AND VISION OF THE BOARD - 5
1.5: VALUES AND PRINCIPLES - 6
2.0: ACHEVEMENTS - 7
2.1: SECONDMENT - 8
2.2: APPOINTEMNTS OF PEOPLE ON CONTRACT - 8
2.3:APPOINTMENT OF COUNTY CHIEF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS - 9
2.4: APPOINTMENT OF SUB-COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS -
10
2.5: APPOINTMENT OF OTHER KEY COUNTY STAFF -11
2.6: APPOINTMENT OF WARD ADMINISTRATORS -11
2.7: DELEGATION AUTHORITY IN APPOINTING CLERKS, MESSENGERS,
SECRETARIAL STAFF AND DRIVERS -11
2.8: DELEGATION OF EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT
EDUCATION TEACHERS - 12
2.9: HUMAN RESOURCE AUDIT-HEAD COUNTY -13
2.10: RECRUITMENT OF CASUALS -13
3.0: IMPLEMENTATION OF OPERATIONS AND STRUCTURE OF
THE BOARD
3.1: CONSULTATIVE MEETINGS WITH PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION -14
3.2: CONSULTATIVE MEETINGS WITH THE EXECUTIVE, COUNTY
ASSEMBLY AND TRANSITION AUTHORITY - 15
3.3: CONSULTATIVE FORUMS WITH OTHER CPSPs - 16
3.4: DEVELOPMENT OF BOARD SECRETARIAT ORGANOGRAM - 16
3.5: PUBLIC ENGAGEMENTS - 17
4.0: CHALLENGES AND RECOMMENDATIONS
4.1: CHALLENGES AND RECOMMENDATIONS - 18
5.0: PLANNED ACTIVITIES FOR YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 2014
5.1: RATIONALISATION OF THE CASUALS - 19
5.2: ACQUISITION OF CPSB OFFICES
- 19
5.3: MAKE THE BOARD A CORPORATE BODY - 19
5.4: DETAILED BOARD WORK PLAN - 20

ANNEXES
ANNEX I - BOARD MEMBERS
ANNEX II - LIST OF SELECTED STAFF
ANNEX III - LETTER REQUESTING APPROVED COUNTY ORGANIZATION
STRUCTURE
ANNEX IV - LIST OF RECOMMENDED CHIEF OFFICERS
ANNEX V - LIST OF APPOINTED SUB - COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS
ANNEX VI - LIST OF APPOINTED KEY COUNTY STAFF
ANNEX VII - LIST OF PURPOTED APPOINTED STAFF UNDER DELEGATED
AUTHORITY).
ANNEX VIII - LIST OF PURPOTED APPOINTED STAFF WHO HAD NOT
APPLIED
ANNEX IX - LIST OF APPOINTED ECDE TEACHERS
ANNEX X - PROPOSED BOARD/SECRETARIAT ORGANOGRAM

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
H.E. - HIS EXCELLENCY
CEC - COUNTY EXECUTIVE3 COMMITTE
CPSB - COUNTY PUBLIC SERVICE BOARD
ECPSB - EMBU COUNTY PUBLIC SERVICE BOARD
ECD - EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT
CS - COUNTY SECRETARY
SHRO - SENIOR HUMAN RESOURCE OFFICER
CEO - CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PE & MS - PRINCIPAL ESTABLISHEMENT & MANAGEMENT SERVICES
PR & S - PRINCIPAL RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION
PHRM & D - PRINCIPAL HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT
PC & QA - PRINCIPAL COMPLIANCE & QUALITY ASSURANCE
HRO - HUMAN RESOURCE OFFICER
SFO - SENIOR FINANCE OFFICER
SA - SENIOR ACCOUNTANT
SPO - SENIOR PROCUREMENT OFFICER
SRMO - SENIOR RECORDS MANAGEMENT OFFICER
ACCT - ACCOUNTANT

FORWARD -CHAIRPERSON
Heading County Public Service Board (CPSB) at its formative stage is not an easy
task and requires a lot of dedication of time; as the Board works through broad work
plans and strict timelines. Embu County Public Service Board has religiously
adhered to all these and I must thank the Governor of Embu H.E. Martin Wambora
for the support he extended to us. Embu CPSB is composed of highly experienced
and qualified members who are strictly focused. Since our swearing in on 11th
July, 2013, we found a full tray with the general public, the County Executive and
County Assembly waiting with abated breath for one of the greatest task of the
Board; Placement of Human Capital. This is what I equit to the formation of a
governmentwhich cannot be devoid of qualified personnel. Everyone will agree
with me that there has never been a precedent of a county government and this is
the first in the history of Kenya. As such, the Board, carrying one of its greatest
mandates of creation and abolishment of offices, armed with articles 10 and 232 of
the Constitution, was ready to establish a Public Service that is responsive and able
to deliver quality service. Section 65 of the County Government Act 2012 provides
that equitability; based on gender, regional balance, people with special needs –
among other ingredients of equitability, were among the virtues that the Board
painstakingly observed, though with a lot of challenges.
Unemployment is one of the challenges in Embu County just like in other counties.
This places any employer in a precarious situation position trying to balance
peoples expectations especially because devolution was perceived to be the major
solution to unemployment. Another major challenge has been how to handle the
inherited staff from defunct Local Authorities whose competence, qualifications and
discipline was questionable . With casuals surpassing half of the total workforce
one is left wondering how to go about creating a lean and efficient County Public
Service and at the same time taking care of the balooning wage bill. The Board has
made deliberate efforts to handle this. The Transition Authority attempted to do a
complehensive Staff Audit and Skills assessment report which we have noted to
have some gaps. the board is in the process of engaging the Kenya School of
Government - Embu on the re-audit on what Transition Authority had done for
authenticity purpose.

Although this issue has not been fully concluded, I belief we are on course, as we
have involved all the stakeholders in coming up with an amicable solution to this
matter.
I can speak confidently that the CPSB is fulfilling its mandate with the competent
advise of the Secretary to the Board. Embu County is among the first to have
expedited recruitment of the most pivotal positions in the county. There is no
turning back, we are moving on.
God bless you all.
SECILY NAMU
AG. CHAIRPERSON
PUBLIC SERVICE BOARD
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Board has worked tirelessly to fulfill its mandate in management of Human
Capital. This is in adherence to Arcticles 10 and 232 of the Constitution that
requires the CPSB to promote values and principles as outlined by the constitution.
These values and principles are meant to ensure there is equity and fairness in a
competitive environment.
The Board recognised the need of replacing replacing officers seconded to the
county from the National Governemnt on interim basis by the Transition Authority,
whose terms was expiring on 30th September 2013. In order to operationalize the
governance of the County Government, recruitment of key County staff was of
critical importance. The staff was competitively sourced despite numerous
constraints by the secretariat that has not been fully formed bearing in mind that the
process of its formation is composed of a number of legal requirements. The board
is in the process of making the board a corporate entity and envisage we shall have
the first Strategic plan by June 2014. We have forwarded our proposed
organization structure to the County Assembly for approval to make our dream
come true. In the meantime, the we are in process of acquiring offices spacious
enough for the secretariat staff.
Despite the above, the Board utilized its members to carry out the recruitment of the
key position that were urgently required. This was challenging work that required
dedication and I need to thank the Board members for their determination.
This is the first annual report that is required to be submitted to the County
Assembly every December persuant to Section 59 of the County Government Act.
May I take this opportunity to also thank all the members of Embu County
Government for their contribution and co-operation towards making the County as
the best in the Country..
God Bless you all.
CS. JOHNSON NYAGGAH
SECRETARY/CEO
PUBLIC SERVICE BOARD

PART 1
1.0: INTRODUCTION
1.1: MANDATE OF THE BOARD
The County Public Service Board (CPSB) is established under County Government
Act of 2012, Section 57 to act on behalf of the County Public service established
under Article 235 (1) of the constitution1. The CPSB as stipulated by Section 57 (a)
shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a seal; and (b) capable of
suing and being sued in its corporate name.
The functions and powers of the County Public Service Board as stipulated in
Section 59,
(1) Shall be on behalf of the County Government to:
(a) Establish and abolish offices in the county public service;
(b) Appoint persons to hold or act in offices of the county public service
including in the Boards of cities and urban areas within the county and to
confirm appointments;
(c) Exercise disciplinary control over, and remove, persons holding or acting
in those offices as provided for under this Part;
(d) Prepare regular reports for submission to the county assembly on the
execution of the functions of the Board;
(e) Promote in the county public service the values and principles referred to
in Articles 10 and 232;
(f) Evaluate and report to the county assembly on the extent to which the
values and principles referred to in Articles 10 and 232 are complied with
in the county public service;
(g) Facilitate the development of coherent, integrated human resource
planning and budgeting for personnel emoluments in counties;
1 Constitution means the constitution of Kenya

(h) Advise the county government on human resource management and
development;
(i) Advise county government on implementation and monitoring of the
national performance management system in counties;
(j) Make recommendations to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission,
on behalf of the county government, on the remuneration, pensions and
gratuities for county public service employees.
(2) In appointing a person as a secretary to a board of a city or an urban area
under subsection (1)(a), the County Public Service Board shall ensure that
such person is a certified public secretary of good professional standing.
(3) The reports under subsection (1)(d) shall contain the details of persons
appointed including gender, persons with disabilities, persons from the
minority and marginalized communities.
(4) In the performance of its functions under subsection (1)(e), the County Public
Service Board shall have powers to—
(a) Inform and educate county public officers and the public about the values
and principles;
(b) recommend to the county government effective measures to promote the
values and principles;
(c) assist county government in the formulation and implementation of
programmes intended to inculcate in public officers the duty to uphold the
values and principles;
(d) advise the County Government on their obligations under international
treaties and conventions on good governance in the county public
service;
(e) visit any county public office or body with a view to assessing and
inspecting the status of compliance with the values and principles;
(f) investigate, on its own initiative or upon a complaint made by any person
or group of persons, the violation of any values and principles;
(g) recommend to the relevant lawful authority, any necessary action in view
of the violation of the values and principles by any person or public body;
(h) cooperate with other institutions working in the field of good governance
in the public service; and

(i) Perform any other functions as the Board considers necessary for the
promotion of the values and principles.
(j) The CPSB shall Present a report under subsection (1)(f) to the county
Assembly detailing all the steps taken and decisions made by the board;
specific recommendations that require to be implemented in the
promotion and protection of the values and principles; specific decisions
on particulars of persons or public body who have violated the values and
principles, including action taken or recommended against them; include
any impediment in the promotion of the values and principles; and
include the programmes the board is undertaking or has planned to
undertake in the medium term towards the promotion of the values and
principles.
The public Service Board is also vested with the mandate to establish public offices
within the County Public Service in accordance with the criteria stipulated in Section
60 (1) if it is satisfied that—
(a) the establishment of the public office shall serve public interest in line with the
core functions of the county government;
(b) there exists no other public office in the county public service discharging or
capable of discharging the duties for which the county is requested to
establish another office;
(c) upon the establishment of the office, the office shall be vacant to be filled
competitively and transparently in accordance with the prescribed appointment
or promotion procedures;
(d) the establishment of the office including its level of grading, qualification and
remuneration shall not disadvantage similar offices in the county public service
or occasion unfair competition for staff among county public bodies;
(e) the establishment of the office shall not confer unfair advantage to a group of
or individual serving public officers;
(f) the county government entity has prudently utilized offices previously provided
in its establishment; and
(g) funding for the office to be established is duly provided for.
Section 60 (2) further stipulates that in determining the provision of funding under
subsection (1)(g), the County Public Service Board shall take due regard to the need

to limit the component of personnel emoluments to a level that does not adversely
affect other budgetary provisions in the recurrent vote.
As stipulated in Section 60 (3), a written request for establishment of an office
complying with the conditions in this section shall be submitted to the Board by the
concerned head of department. Consequently in Section 60 (4), in deciding whether
or not to establish a public office, the County Public Service Board shall take into
account—
(a) The overall workload in the county public service concerned; and
(b) The suitability of that department but not any other to be the domicile of the
public office to be established.
1.2 COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD
The CPSB is composed of the Chairperson, not less than three and not more than
five members and a Certified Public Secretary of good standing all appointed by the
Governor persuant to County Government Act 2012, Section 58 (1).
The Embu County Public Service Board has four members and the Secretary with
the substative Chair's appointment having been revoked. The Vice chair who was
elected persuant to Section 58 (6) of the County Government Act 2012 is currently
the acting Chairperson. The list of all the board members is as attached. (ANNEX I -
Board Members)
1.3 REPORTING REQUIREMENT OF THE BOARD
In Section 59 subsection (1)(f), the Board2 is required by the law to evaluate and
report to the County Assembly on the extent to which the values and principles
referred to in Articles 10 and 232 are complied with in the county public service.
Pursuant to this the Board present this report every December to the County
Assembly as stipulated by Section 59 subsection (5). This report by the County
Public Service Board shall:-
(a) be delivered each December to the County Assembly.
(b) include all the steps taken and decisions made by the board;
(c) include specific recommendations that require to be implemented in the
promotion and protection of the values and principles;
2 Board refers to the County Public Service Board

(d) include specific decisions on particulars of persons or public body who
have violated the values and principles, including action taken or
recommended against them;
(e) include any impediment in the promotion of the values and principles; and
(f) include the programmes the board is undertaking or has planned to
undertake in the medium term towards the promotion of the values and
principles.
The Board shall then proceed to publish this report in the county Gazette not later
than seven days after the report has been delivered to the county assembly as a
requirement in Section 59 (6).
1.4 VISION AND MISSION OF THE BOARD3
Vision: To be the leading county in Public Service Management.
Mission: To promote an effective and efficient service delivery
Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Equity & Fairness, Teamwork, Dilligence
1.5: VALUES AND PRINCIPLES
The County Public Service Board is governed by the established values and
principles. The constitution, Article 10(2) stipulates the national values and principles
of governance, which includes;
(a) Patriotism, national unity, sharing and devolution of power, the rule of law,
democracy and participation of the people;
(b) Human dignity, equity, social justice, inclusiveness, equality, human rights,
non-discrimination and protection of the marginalised;
(c) Good governance, integrity, transparency and accountability; and
(d) Sustainable development.
It is in the light of these provisions that the CPSB observes the Values and principles
of County public service stipulated in Article 232 (1), which include;
(a) High standards of professional ethics;
(b) Efficient, effective and economic use of resources;
(c) Responsive, prompt, effective, impartial and equitable provision of services;
3 Board refers to the County Public Service Board