GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 2483

PURSUANT to section 59, sub-section 1 (f) of the County Governments Act, 2012, the functions and powers of the County Public Service Board inter alia, is to evaluate and report to the County Assembly yearly on the extent to which the Values and Principles referred to in Article 10 and 232 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 are complied within the county public service. Further, section 59 sub-section 5 of the County Government Act, 2012 states that the report prepared shall include — (a) all the steps taken and decisions made by the Board in realization of the Values and Principles; (b) specific recommendations that require to be implemented in the promotion and protection of the values and principles; (c) specific decisions on particulars of persons or public body who have violated the values and principles, including action taken or recommended against them; (d) any impediment in the promotion of the values and principles; and (e) the programmes the board is undertaking or has planned to undertake towards the promotion of the values and principles. 2.0 Scope of the Report This report covers the extent to which the values and principles as enshrined in Article 10 and 232 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 were embedded in Board decisions and policies with a view of translating these values into practice. 3.0 Actions Taken in Realization of National Values and Principles of the Public Service The following actions were taken in realization of national values and principles: (a) The Board undertook induction training on Values and Principles of Public Service for newly engaged staff. (b) During the period, the Board consulted with Ethics and Anti- Corruption Commission (EACC) on matters pertaining to Leadership and Integrity including submitting lists of the shortlisted candidates as per their advisory. (c) On accountability for administrative acts, the Board issued the following advisories to the Executive: (i) Engagement of interns (ii) Engagement of attachees (iii) Engagement of volunteers (d) On conflict of interest, members made declarations during shortlisting and interviewing for various positions. The said members were exempted from the deliberations/participation in the process. (e) On promotion of Values and Principles of Public Service, the Board enhanced collaborations with stakeholders including EACC, Salaries and remuneration Commission and Public Service Commission through continuous engagement on issues pertaining to management of Human Resource in the County. (f) The recruitment process as undertaken by the Board affords equal opportunity to all and encourages Women, Youth, Persons with Disabilities, and the marginalized to apply. In this regard, the Board undertook affirmative action by targeting and engaging twenty eight (28) Persons with Disability to ensure compliance with relevant statue. The recruitment was based on skill gaps in various departments. (g) The Board held various consultative meeting with the Department of Public Service Management on operational issues pertaining to the management of Human Resource. (h) Consultative meetings were held with the Union representatives on issues relating to terms and conditions of service. (i) The Board undertook disciplinary control in the County through delegation of the function to the County Disciplinary Committee and hearings conducted by the Board in its own capacity. 4.0 Specific Decisions on Particular Persons or Public Body that have Violated the Values and Principles including Actions taken and Recommended against them The table below indicates action taken and recommendations made: Designation Violation Value/Principle Violated Action Taken Enforcement Officers (19) Negligence Integrity, transparency and accountability Exonerated Driver Desertion of duty Integrity, transparency and accountability Salary equivalent to eight (8) days recovered from his salary and the officer be placed on rehabilitation programme Driver Negligence Integrity, transparency and accountability Exonerated Assistant Transport Officer Negligence Integrity, transparency and accountability Exonerated ICT, Officer Negligence Integrity, transparency and accountability 1st Warning Revenue and Licensing Officers (21) Fraud Integrity, transparency and accountability 1st Warning and recover of the lost revenue Planning Assistant III desertion of duty Integrity, transparency and accountability Dismissal from service Assistant Engineer desertion of duty Integrity, transparency and accountability Dismissal from service Chief Fire Officer Misuse of Government property Integrity, transparency and accountability Officer suspended Leading Fireman I Negligence Integrity, transparency and accountability Dismissal from service County Human Resource Manager Irregular authorization for payment of salary arrears. Integrity, transparency and accountability Dismissal from service Director, Licensing Manipulation of Single Business Permits (SBPs). Integrity, transparency and accountability 1st Warning Survey Assistant Negligence Integrity, transparency and accountability 1st Warning Medical Officers (6) desertion of duty Integrity, transparency and accountability 1st Warning Foreman II Negligence Integrity, transparency and accountability 1st Warning Mechanics (2) Negligence Integrity, transparency and accountability 1st Warning Refuse Collector I Negligence Integrity, transparency and accountability Exonerated Plant Operator I Negligence Integrity, transparency and accountability Exonerated 5.0 Impediments in Promotion of National Values and Principles Promotion of National Values and Principles were impeded by the following: (a) Inadequate budgetary allocation for implementation of proposed programmes. (b) Intense lobbying by the public in relation to recruitment. This creates a culture of extortion by fraudsters who take advantage of the situation. (c) Lack of co-operation from complainants (the public) in providing conclusive evidence for prosecution of cases relating to extortion/ bribery. (d) Delay by investigating /enforcing agencies to investigate and prosecute reported cases. 6.0 Specific Recommendations and Programs Planned or Undertaken by Board in the Medium Term towards the Promotion of National Values and Principles The Board planned/undertook the following specific recommendations and programs in promoting National Values and Principles: (a) Induction of state and public officers joining the County Public Service on Values and Principles of Governance. (b) Enhance collaboration with the County Anti-Corruption Committee in protection of National Values and Principles. (c) Carry out a Baseline Survey on entrenchment of Values and Principles of Governance in the county public service. (d) Provide regular advisories to the County Executive Committee on dynamic aspects of human resource management and development that enhance the practice of good governance. (e) Provide an alternative communication channels for purposes of receiving feedback from staff and public on Values and Principles. Dated the 28th January, 2020. WILLIAM KOECH, MR/0734583 Secretary, Uasin Gishu County Public Service Board.