Interior Ministry asks for Ksh.2.3B to upgrade Chiefs offices countrywide

Interior Ministry asks for Ksh.2.3B to upgrade Chiefs offices countrywide

The Ministry of Interior sais it is seeking some 2.3 billion shillings to refurbish chiefs’ offices across the country.

The statement by Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho comes amid concerns about the perceived neglect of this once-powerful position in government.

“We really as a country have no excuse why we should have our national administrators in offices like that, but we need to put this in the right context. Offices of chiefs were established during colonial times, and the offices we are seeing were very fancy in 1963 but they are not fancy now, “ said Kibicho

This comes just a week after Citizen TV aired a story on Kilimani Location Chief Patrick Adira narrating the plight of his poor working environment.

“Without chiefs, then I don’t know how police stations would be like today. Chiefs are handling even small domestic issues. Identification, it is only the chief who actually knows you and will give info required to give you an id card, birth certificate, you need a chief, so we cannot operate without the chief,” said Jerry ole Kina-Deputy Secretary General KUCS.

“What i have from my networks is that Chief Adira has one of the best offices, so that can tell you the situation on the ground,” he added.

That Chiefs are the President’s representatives in the grassroots, is a role the Ministry of Interior reckons as crucial especially now that they coordinate 34 national government functions.

It is however felt in some quarters, that the chief has lost a considerable amount of powers and perhaps the honour that accompanies power.

“That is why we are very serious we want to intervene and why we have asked for 2.3 billion shillings from treasury to correct that problem that is historical,” said Kibicho.

Each Chief will be allocated up to 10 million shillings while Sub-Chiefs will get 5 million shillings for refurbishment and maintenance of their offices.

The Principal Secretary said that these offices are expected to transform into ultramodern, well-furnished buildings by the time President Uhuru Kenyatta’s term comes to an end.

“We have also looked at their medical scheme and we are developing what we are calling field service regulation that will look at their risk allowances because they are exposed to a lot of risks. These people are at the frontline of fire. The total of which is 1.2 billion shillings per year,” said Kibicho

According to PS Kibicho, the chief’s mobility is the first step while their accommodation and offices is the next item on government’s agenda.

Tags:

Poor Ministry of Interior Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho neglect offices working environment

Want to send us a story? Submit on Wananchi Reporting on the Citizen Digital App or Send an email to wananchi@royalmedia.co.ke or Send an SMS to 25170 or WhatsApp on 0743570000

Leave a Comment

Comments

No comments yet.

latest stories