County Government of Laikipia

When Governor Ndiritu Muriithi embarked on reforming the County Public Service, his intention was to have in place a professional and globally competitive service.

Although the reforms are still going on, the plucking of Mr. Njenga Kahiro from the County Executive Committee to head the East Africa operations of Maliasili Inc., a global conservation organization was the strongest indication yet that the County Public Service has reached this level.

Earlier, Kiambu County had picked Mr. Kenneth Karanja and Mr. Daniel Ngumi to join its service only months after Governor James Nyoro had publicly his admiration of Laikipia's equipment leasing program.

Internally and externally Mr. Kahiro's Water department has been considered a top performer. During his tenure, nearly 115 boreholes have been drilled, equipped, and rehabilitated. This transformed and improved quality of life for over 90,000 households by enabling them to access reliable source of clean water.

Notable transformative water projects include Doldol, Luoniek, Solio, Makurian, and Kinamba town. The last two are underway.

Makurian water project has seen the construction of 42 kilometers of water pipeline constructed from an intake at Mount Kenya to Doldol to serve about 15,000 residents. Drilling and equipping of Lusukut borehole in Doldol provided 700 residents with water.

Mr. Kahiro oversaw the utilization of solar energy in pumping water from many of the boreholes. He has also laid a good foundation for water for production program which is key in the socio-economic transformation of the County.

He has consistently performed well which explains why any organization would like to have him. It's a career progression that provides a bigger role, covering several nations. We are excited. CECM Rose Maitai said.

The department also made commendable progress in the environment sector especially in solid waste management and cleaning up of drainage systems.

Governor Muriithi had tapped Mr. Kahiro from the private sector. He has served as program manager for Zeitz Foundation was responsible for the strategic and operational leadership. His work involved developing, coordinating, and directing the implementation of existing and, once appropriate, new conservation, community development, and cultural projects developed by ZF in Kenya. Mr. Kahiro has MSc. Conservation and Tourism from the University of Kent.

(Source: CGL E-Newsletter Issue 0044)