We must entrust management of key positions in counties to professionals

Dr.Alfred Mutua meets Commission on Revenue Allocation Chairman Micah Cheserem at the Machakos County office, on 23 April 2013. PHOTO: NATION/FILE

What you need to know:

  • There seems to be unbridled urge from the counties to have a “county citizen” take leadership roles in every key institution in the county.
  • While low-cadre positions must be filled by locals, professional jobs must be left to those with experience and skills irrespective of where they come from.
  • Chief Justice Willy Mutunga cautioned the people of his county not to expect any favours from him. 

Our country has come a long way. With the enactment of a new Constitution that supports devolution, the conduct of peaceful and democratic elections, and institutionalisation of multiparty democracy, we have achieved a great deal.

But since it takes a little effort to destroy what has taken ages to build, we need to safeguard all the gains we have made.

A lot of good is already happening in the counties. However, as a professional risk manager, I observe a trend that is very dangerous and may be detrimental to the country’s well-being.

There seems to be unbridled urge from the counties to have a “county citizen” take leadership roles in every key institution in the county.

Much as we can argue that talent abounds in all counties, the desire to only have county citizens hold key positions is retrogressive.

The Constitution rules out all forms of discrimination. Aware of this fact, Chief Justice Willy Mutunga cautioned the people of his county not to expect any favours from him. 

He understood that he is the Chief Justice for the whole country and any preferential treatment to any section of Kenyans will be deemed unethical and unconstitutional.

I hold the view that key positions should be filled based on transparent criteria that are anchored on merit, and the candidate’s passion for the role, while honouring all the provisions of the Constitution.

Just because someone from the county has the required credentials does not make him or her the right pick for a position. 

We should interrogate the candidates to establish their true passion or motivation for the position. Those who demonstrate they can add the most value, at county level and nationally, should be given first consideration.

To be clear, I am not talking about any rank-and-file positions. I am referring to positions of leadership where the leader’s skills and passion have direct influence on the performance or lack of it.

In the past, it was not surprising to go to the heart of Murang’a, say Ndakaini Dam, and find a Kalenjin posted as a guard.

Such low-cadre positions should be the preserve of locals, irrespective of their tribes.

Statistically, we can expect that the majority of locals in Nyanza would be Luos and the majority in the lower Eastern Province would be Kambas. If the Kalenjin referred above was a Murang’a resident, there would be no issue at all. However, there would be a problem if most cooks in Nyanza General Hospital were Kikuyu.

Take, for example, the upcoming oil drilling in parts of Northern Kenya and the Coast. Should we demand that these be led by locals? Not necessarily.

While low-cadre positions must be filled by locals, professional jobs must be left to those with experience and skills irrespective of where they come from.

They may come from other counties or even abroad for that matter.

Previous administrations ruined established institutions by “inserting” people in key positions without regard to their area of specialisation, if any. Tribalism (and soon, “countyism”) remains the second biggest impediment to Kenya’s development. The first, without question, is corruption. 

There are many bad things that happen in the USA that Kenya should not attempt to copy or emulate. Nevertheless, in the critical areas of the rule of law and equality, the USA is miles ahead of many countries, though not perfect.

It is normal to see a county superintendent of education in a Georgian county being recruited from states as far as California in the Pacific west or Massachusetts in Northeastern USA.

Merit, experience and passion are what count. We can try the same in Kenya and the fruits are likely to be sweet.

In key areas of education, public health and safety, infrastructure, commerce and agriculture, we must look for top talent, wherever it may be found.

All it may take is a new set of eyes to break the culture of corruption and entrenched groupthink. We must entrust the management and leadership of these institutions to professionals.

In the same vein, senior civil servants from the national government must be restrained from unduly influencing decisions in the counties they come from.  

Cronyism must be rejected by all.
 
Mr Muigai is a practising project manager in Atlanta, Georgia. ([email protected])