Nyeri: Nyeri County Commissioner (CC) Josphat Biwott has called on heads of government departments and the National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) to strengthen monitoring of state projects as a way of ensuring that the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) delivers tangible results. Speaking at the FK resort in Nyeri county, during the official opening of a two-day sensitisation workshop on implementation of BETA, Biwott reminded public servants that they were the backbone of national government at the county and sub-county level, noting that the success or failure of President Dr William Ruto’s agenda largely depended on their performance.
According to Kenya News Agency, Biwott emphasized that their effectiveness would be judged not just by the meetings held but by the projects completed, livelihoods improved and transformed, and bottlenecks resolved in real time. He stressed that the success or failure of these projects and programmes is based on how the officers coordinate, monitor, and escalate issues on the ground. Biwott also called for a coordinated messaging system among government officers regarding ongoing development projects and reminded them of their role in translating national government policies related to BETA into actionable information for the common mwananchi.
Biwott further stated that the effectiveness of state programmes and the credibility of the government at the grassroots level depended on strong coordination, consistent monitoring, and timely escalation of challenges. He noted that NGAOs serve as the president’s delivery and feedback channel. He emphasized that monitoring and evaluation are not just administrative formalities, but leadership obligations. He urged Nyeri county departmental heads to work collaboratively with citizens to ensure equitable distribution of economic development benefits across the region.
The workshop, organized by the Government Delivery Service, aims to enhance the prompt delivery of the BETA plan. It is set to review the development progress since the administration came into power in 2022 and equip participating civil servants with skills to improve project reporting standards and strengthen collaboration between officers working across various levels of government.
Biwott added that the training would align NGAO operations with those of the Office of the President to ensure that presidential directives and government priorities are clearly understood, accurately reported, and implemented without delays. He highlighted the progress of BETA projects in the county, such as agriculture, where there has been a commendable uptake of the fertiliser subsidy programme and price stabilisation measures in the dairy, coffee, and tea sub-sectors benefiting local farmers.
In healthcare, Biwott noted the achievement towards universal healthcare, with the county ranking sixth nationally in Social Health Authority registration after enrolling 64 percent of its population under the health scheme. He also mentioned the progress of seven affordable housing projects, with the Blue Valley project reaching a 78 percent completion rate. The recent completion and handover of the Marigiti Economic Stimulus Programme market in Karatina was highlighted as a key achievement under the housing pillar.
In ICT, Biwott stated that 16 digital hubs had been established to support youth in digital income-generating activities, and 48 public WiFi hotspots had been set up as part of implementing the digital superhighway agenda.
