Public Service, Conflict Management and Devolved Units 2023-08-25T09:36:01+03:00

Public Service Management, Devolved Units & Community Cohesion

The Ministry of public service management, devolved units and community cohesion was created to provide strategic leadership and guidance to the public service on the Human Resource Management and Development and promote a cohesive society whose values are harmonious and multi-cultural.

It boasts of five departments: Public Service Management, Devolved Units, inspectorate and enforcement services, community cohesion and Conflict Management, prevention of radicalization and Extremism,  and community engagement,  Public Participation and civic education. Each department is headed by a County Chief Officer.

Public Service Management basically undertakes Human Resources Management and Development ranging from Payroll Management, Registry (keeping records of county employees), Training and Development and Staff Welfare among other functions.

On the other hand, Devolved Units coordinates all County Government functions at the decentralized units (Sub-County, Ward and Village). community cohesion and Conflict Management department is tasked with managing conflicts and promoting cohesive and integrated society.

The Department of prevention of radicalization and Extremism is one of the two newly created departments in the Ministry. It is mandated to help in the fight against radicalization and violent extremism that has wreaked havoc in the County.  community engagement, Civic Education and Public Participation is also a newly created department that was formed to undertake civic education and citizen engagement in all of the County Government undertakings.

It is meant to actively involve the Community in all Government Projects and programs before, during and after implementation.

Vision

To be a leading ministry of excellence in Public Service Management, coordination and development in a peaceful and cohesive County.

Mission

To provide policy direction in Public Service Management, advice on appropriate organizational structures, initiate and coordinate human resource management reforms to improve service delivery for sustainable socio-economic development and to promote a cohesive society whose values are harmonious and integrative.

Goal

The main goal of the Ministry is to develop and sustain a competitive and adaptive Public Service human resource pool to meet the requirements of the County and regionally competitive and prosperous County.

Core Values

The Ministry subscribes and is committed to values that guide the culture, identity and unity of purpose in the implementation of its mandate. Our core values include:

  • Integrity: To enhance customer confidence in our services, we shall meet customer expectations by carrying out duties and responsibilities with honesty and integrity;
  • Professionalism: We shall adhere to best practices, professional standards and ethics to continuously improve service delivery;
  • Innovation: We shall continue to promote innovation and creativity through research and exchange of ideas at all levels so as to tap the full potential of our staff;
  • Transparency and Accountability: We shall adopt a governance structure that promotes and supports transparency and accountability. We shall encourage our customers to provide feedback and recommendations on improvement of service delivery;
  • Teamwork: We shall collaborate with stakeholders to achieve our goals and objectives through consultations, consensus building, participation, and consideration of diversity of opinion and experiences;
  • Equity: We shall treat everyone equally and will not discriminate on any grounds, including age, gender, marital status, religion, ethnicity, disability, social status, or political affiliation;
  • Respect for rule of law: We shall model the respect of national and county laws in the manner we serve all those requiring our services.

Functions

  • Human Resource Management
  • Public service reforms & transformation
  • Public service Policy development & implementation
  • Employee welfare
  • Payroll management
  • Research, Development and Public Service Delivery Innovations.
  • Promotion of ethics, good governance, efficiency, and effectiveness in the public services
  • Peace building & conflict management
  • Civic education & public participation
  • Public Service Career Planning and Development.
  • Counseling Policy and Services.
  • Coordination of county government functions
  • Support in general county service delivery
  • Development of administrative policies
  • Devolved units management
  • Enforcement services
  • Counter radicalization, disengagement and rehabilitation
  • Implementation of national cohesion & integration values
  • Policy on cohesion & integration

Sector priorities

  • Human resources management and development
  • Enhanced public participation and citizen engagement
  • Undertaking proper civic education programs
  • Strengthen coordination and supervision of all devolved functions for efficient and effective service delivery
  • Strengthen peaceful co-existence among communities in Mandera County.
  • Stepping up community led prevention and countering violent extremism
  • Improve security service provision in collaboration with security agencies
  • Improve the health and well-being of employees through enhanced medical cover and WIBA administration
  • Improve adherence to county laws and regulations through enforcement services
  • Improve sanitation and waste management
  • Enhance fire-fighting services across all sub-counties

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Strengthened human resource registry (records) operations by constructing a modern registry and giving guidelines and procedures for the day to day functions to safeguard the security of information, records and file management.
  • Organized a regional Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) conference in Mandera which brought together more than 300 participants from Mandera, Wajir, Isiolo and Garissa.
  • Organized religious leader’s consultative meetings on CVE in Mandera East, Mandera South, Lafey, Kutulo and Mandera North.
  • Launched the Mandera County action Plan (MCAP) on CVE which will be implemented in the next five years. The MCAP is a blueprint which will guide the implementation of CVE program by community members, County Government, National Government and NSA.
  • Managed to reduce terror related incidents within Mandera town through concerted efforts of security agencies, community and County Government.
  • Organized Peace Day celebration in Rhamu attended by all leaders to commemorate the existing peace and resilience of the communities living in Rhamu.
  • Managed to reduce inter-clan conflict through sustained dialogue and community engagement.
  • Constructed and operationalized 15 ward offices to enhance service delivery to the people.
  • Constructed and operationalized dumping sites in all the sub-county headquarters to improve garbage and waste management.
  • Procured 20 motorcycles for prevention of violent extremism efforts and the fight against drug and substance abuse.
  • Developed public participation policy with the support of AHADI.
  • Coordinated all the public participation exercises conducted by various ministries and departments to enhance community participation, engagement and feedback.

Departments

Mandera County Government’s Department of Public Service Management was created to provide strategic leadership and guidance to the Public service on the Human Resource Management and development. The department is responsible for the efficient and effective Management and Development of the Human Resources in the County, these include: Development of Human Resources Policies and Procedures, Determination of Optimal Staffing level, Designing and development of organizational structures among other responsibilities.

The department has continuously ensured performance management systems are in place through the signing of performance appraisal systems by setting realistic performance targets for County staff.

The Department is composed of the Directorate of Human Resource Management & Development which basically undertakes Human Resources functions.  As a department, We have taken positive steps to streamline the Human Resources functions of this government to ensure that our core customers are treated with dignity and services provided to them with utmost respect and speed without compromising on quality and efficiency of the services provided.

DEPARTMENT’S KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

  • We have constructed a modern Human Resources Registry block to enable the Directorate of Human Resources Management &Development staff to carry out their functions in a conducive working environment.
  • Modernizing and transforming the records management in the County is on top of the department priority area.
  • Employees’ welfare is in top gear as we have continuously provided Medical Cover to our employees and their dependents.
  • All our employees are insured against work related injuries, accidents/death under WIBA and GPA.
  • To enhance citizen- centric service delivery, internal effectiveness, professionalism and accountability at the work place we have registered all our employees and issued them with a Biometric Staff Identification Cards which will enable the service seekers to identify who are the genuine County Government employees.
  • Sensitization Programme for HR Officers and Payroll Managers on Unified Payroll Number (UPN) organized and conducted by State department for Public Service from 18th -19th November 2019 at County HQ.
  • Payroll segregation done in 2020 was a blessing to the county. The staff on payroll was organized, arranged by ministry, departments and placing staff in their correct pay stations.
  • We managed to do payroll data cleansing to ensure that the file records correspond with what is on the payroll. This has ensured that Ghost workers are filtered off the payroll and Data credibility enhanced.
  • The files in the registry were re-organized to digit arrangement against the old system of keeping files according to the departments. This has improved in quick retrieving of personal files from registry.
  • We have managed to reduce complaints from staff in relation to the payroll issues. This has been contributed by among others, training of staff on the new on line systems introduced and facilitation of working tools.
  • Improved relationship with 3rd party organization especially the banks and built confidence in our monthly reports.
  • With the introduction of UPN online system, personal number request for newly appointed staff has improved in reducing the manual payroll.
  • Our County was among the few IPPD sites nominated for the Universal Human resource (UHR) pilot program.
  • The introduction of working timelines has enabled the department to ensure that the payroll is closed in time and staffs are paid their salaries in good time.
  • 3rd parties are able to submit and receive their Monthly reports with no delays.
  • In Collaboration with the County Public Service Board, the department customized the Public Service Commission Human Resource Procedures Manual and the staff performance Appraisal system form for the county.
  • Initiated monthly remittance of gratuity for contractual staff to LAPRUST(CPF)

The department of Devolved Units, Inspectorate & Enforcement Services is composed of the two directorates: Devolved Units,  and Inspectorate and Enforcement Services. The directorate of Devolved Units is mandated to co-ordinate and supervises all county government activities and projects while the Directorate of Enforcement and Inspectorate service ensures enforcement & compliance of the county laws, policies  &  regulations.  The department successfully achieved the  following:

  • Construction, completion of, and operationalization of six sub county offices (Mandera South, Mandera West, Mandera North, Banisa, Kutulo and Lafey Sub County Headquarters).
  • Chain link fence was done for Mandera South, Kutulo, Mandera West and Banisa sub county headquarters offices.
  • Construction, completion and operationalization of Shimpir Fatuma, Elwak North, Elwak South, Wargadud, Kutulo, Dandu, Takaba, Takaba south, Lagsure, Banisa, Derkale, Kili- weheri, Guba Rhamu, Rhamu Dimtu, Ashabito, khalalio, Libihiya, Township, Neboi Lafey and Alungu ward offices.
  • Procurement, Supply and delivery of quality office furniture for sub counties and ward offices.
  • Procurement, supply and delivery of seven (7) motor vehicles for all the sub administrator’s offices.
  • Procurement, supply and delivery of nine (9) motorcycles forward ward administrator’s office
  • Procurement, supply and delivery of four (4) motor vehicle for enforcement officers and hiring of two (2) motor vehicles for Traffic Marshall and Anti-Narcotic.
  • Procurement, supply and delivery of nine (9) motorcycle for Traffic Marshall and eight (8) motorcycles for sub counties.
  • Training of administrators. The administrators have undergone series of training that enabled them to perform their duties effectively and efficiently.
  • The department developed, approved and put into use the scheme of service for both the directorate of county administration and enforcement service.
  • The department promoted 128 Enforcement Officers from Enforcement Assistant III JG ‘E’ To Enforcement Assistant I JG ‘G’ in the January 2021 and looking forward in promoting more.
  • Enforcement Bill was drafted and approved by Mandera County Assembly.
  • Formation and operationalization of Rapid Response Team (RRT) at Elwak and Takaba to demolish and remove makeshift structures and encroachments along the road reserves.
  • Formation and operationalization of Traffic Marshall in Mandera Municipality.
  • Formation and operationalization of Anti-Narcotic Unit (Drug Control Units) to curb illegal drugs within the county in partnership with NACADA on drug and substance abuse.
  • Band Training-The department managed to successfully train its forty-five ((45) band officers for one month course in Kenyatta University. The graduation ceremony was graced by H.E. the Governor, Capt. Ali Roba on 3rd May 2019 at Kenyatta University, main campus among other dignitaries.
  • A very successful and vigorous training exercise was conducted for all the enforcement officers at Mandera Technical Training Institute (MTTI) by Nairobi City Inspectorate College. The officers graduated on 11th December 2019.
  • Series of vigorous trainings for Inspectorate & Enforcement Officers conducted at National Youth Services (Gilgil), Nairobi City Inspectorate Training College and Kenyatta University School of Music.
  • The department through the directorate of inspectorate & enforcement services in collaboration with the relevant departments has ensured full compliances on revenue, trade & licensing and land related policies.
  • The directorate of Enforcement services in conjunction with the ministry of health has ensured compliances and enforcement of covid-19 protocols across the sub counties.

INTRODUCTION

Mandera County Government’s Department of De-radicalization and Countering Violent Extremism was started as a fully-fledged Department in 2018. The Department was created to step up community led counter terrorism and de-radicalization efforts to combat violent extremism in Mandera County. The expanding reach and destructive consequences of violent extremism are among the major challenges to peace faced in the County. Mandera has faced the brunt of violent extremism. Targeting of non-local professionals especially teachers and health practitioners led to mass exodus of teachers which has paralyzed learning in Schools in North Eastern Counties. The construction industry was also massively affected as a result of closure of quarries by the government. Unprecedented skyrocketing fatalities were registered as a result of non-locals being targeted, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted on roads, targeting of passenger vehicles among others. Roads were rendered impassable thereby paralyzing transport industry. Violent extremism is also posing a direct and manifest challenge to the gains enjoyed by Mandera over recent years, and threatens to stunt development outcomes for generations to come if left unchecked. The steep rise in violent extremist activity in Northern Kenya represents a significant threat to national security and development overall.

The Department is uniquely placed within the overall response architecture for tackling violent extremism, and has an integral role to play in averting the threats posed by preventing and transforming it. Development expertise and resourcing can be leveraged to address structural drivers; to support communities in implementing de-radicalization initiatives; and to help ensure that former members of violent extremist organizations are socio-economically reintegrated, among many other critical areas that the Department needs to explore.

Mandera county’s Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism was formulated with the assistance of non-state actors: A plan, which works with national governments and stakeholders, regional institutions, faith-based institutions, civil society and many others to augment P/CVE interventions while also striving to contribute new understanding and knowledge. Just as violent extremism profoundly impacts the attainment of development goals, so the search for solutions must also place development approaches at its Centre. The department in conjunction with other partners is working on realizing empowered and self-reliant youth, improved coordination and promote stable accountable security in Mandera, improved sensitization and public awareness on CVE and radicalization, increased awareness on Violent Extremism and Radicalization, robust early warning system established, enhanced skills and knowledge on Countering Violent Extremism, improved coordination, support increased patrol and quick response to terror related incidents by NPRs.

The County established the County Engagement Forum (CEF), which coordinates all PCVE activities. The County Commissioner and County Governor, or their representatives, co-chair the forum. The CEF ensures that all PCVE actors in Mandera County align their interventions with the County Action Plan on PCVE for effective implementation and synergy building. Mandera County prioritized five (5) important strategic pillars through the County Engagement Forum on CVE. The five pillars will concentrate on the following thematic areas with clear-cut objectives:

  1. Law enforcement (Peace & Security): Maintaining a focused Momentum and collaboration among the various stakeholders on Preventing and Countering Violence Extremism (P/CVE). Continuous payment of stipend to KPR and support with provisions of logistics in Mandera Town.
  2. Economic pillar: Empower and strengthen youth and youth networks across Mandera county to build their resilience to violent extremism.
  3. Ideological pillar/ Faith Based factors: Establish and promote strong counter narrative ideologies. in Mandera County we have already recruited 11 PCVE coordinators to support in the implementation of the pillar.
  4. Political pillar: Mobilize political and community leaders to get political good will support and resources.
  5. Education pillar: To reduce the threats of radicalization in learning institutions.

VISION

A stable and accountable human security in Mandera County.

MISSION

To Step up community led counter terrorism and DE radicalization efforts to combat violent extremism

ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Regional Conference on Countering Violent Extremism.
  • Development and launch of Mandera County Action Plan for CVE which is a blueprint that will guide in implementation of P/CVE activities.
  • Training of 350 CVE Champions in Mandera East, Lafey, Mandera South and Kutulo was done.
  • Establishment of radio control system for security enhancement.
  • Sub-counties Religious Leaders’ Sensitization Workshops on Countering Violent Extremism were held in Mandera East, Lafey, Kutulo and Mandera South Sub-Counties.
  • Training of 250 Nyumba Kumi Committee Members in all the Nine (9) locations of Central Division, Mandera East.
  • Paying stipends for 335 National Police Reservists
  • Hired Ten (10) vehicles for security Patrol
  • Mandera leaders symposium on countering radicalization and violent extremism
  • Procured Twenty (20) Motorbikes for P/CVE to ease mobility at the ward level.
  • Operationalized Mandera CVE Engagement Forum that coordinates implementation of the MCAP. The forum is composed of County Government Department of De-radicalization and CVE, County Commissioner’s office, Non-State Actors and the community.
  • Recruitment and deployment of twelve (12) religious sub-county CVE coordinators

CHALLENGES

  • Few CVE actors in Mandera to implement Mandera County Action Plan for CVE and other VE interventions.
  • Mistrust between government, especially security agencies and the citizens, has led to the perception of moto mbili meaning two fires—communities fear both Al-Shabaab and the KDF.
  • Failure by the security agencies to act promptly on intelligence shared
  • The porous border with Somalia continues to present a major threat to P/CVE activities in Mandera County
  • Stereotyping of the county as hotspot of violent extremism and terrorism has scared away investors and affected its development.
  • Mass exodus of non-locals after every VE attack has affected mainly the education sector, health sector, construction industry and the local economy.
  • Border tension as a result of conflict between Jubaland Government and Federal Government of Somalia which put Kenya at the center of the conflict.

Vision
To be a leading sector of excellence in citizen engagement, enhance service delivery at the decentralized units.

Mission
To provide strategic leadership and guidance for civic education and public participation in co-ordination of government functions at the decentralized units in Mandera County.

Core Values

The sector subscribes and is committed to values that guide the culture, identity and unity of purpose in the implementation of its mandate. Our core values include:

  • Integrity: To enhance customer confidence in our services, we shall meet customer expectations by carrying out duties and responsibilities with honesty and integrity;
  • Professionalism: We shall adhere to best practices, professional standards and ethics to continuously improve service delivery;
  • Innovation: We shall continue to promote innovation and creativity through research and exchange of ideas at all levels to tap the full potential of our staff;
  • Transparency and Accountability: We shall adopt a governance structure that promotes and supports transparency and accountability. We shall encourage our customers to provide feedback and recommendations on improvement of service delivery;
  • Teamwork: We shall collaborate with stakeholders to achieve our goals and objectives through consultations, consensus building, participation, and consideration of diversity of opinion and experiences;
  • Equity: We shall treat everyone equally and will not discriminate on any grounds, including age, gender, marital status, religion, ethnicity, disability, social status, or political affiliation;
  • Respect for rule of law: We shall model the respect of national and county laws in the manner we serve all those requiring our services.

SECTOR PRIORITIES

  • Guidance and promotion of County Public Participation and Civic Education programs.
  • Lead in the overall coordination, management and administration of public participation and civic education,
  • Ensure the broad principles of public participation are institutionalized in every process of county governance,
  • Ensure timely access to information, data, documents and other information relevant or related to policy formulation, implementation and oversight to the public,
  • Provide approved and authenticated official documents to the public for discussion,
  • Ensure reasonable access to the process of formulating and implementing policies, laws, and regulations including the approval of development proposals, projects and budgets, the granting of permits and the establishment of specific performance standards,
  • Protect and promote the interest and rights of minorities, marginalized groups and communities and their access to relevant information,
  • Institutionalize all the essential enablers of public participation,
  • Provide multiple opportunities for public participation,
  • Ensure reasonable balance in the roles and obligations of county governance and non-state actors in decision making processes partnership, and to provide complementary authority and oversight,
  • Promote Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), such as joint committees, technical teams and citizen committees to encourage direct dialogue and concerted action on sustainable development,
  • Recognize and promote reciprocal roles of non-state actors participation and governmental facilitation and oversight

ACHIEVMENTS OF THE SECTOR

Notable achievements of the department include:

  • Training of county staffs of various cadres, development  of stakeholders register, policy development for public participation, development of service charter for the Ministry of Public Service, conduct public participation on budget process making, conduct civic awareness for the members of the public and conducting peace dialogues  among others, for instance:
  • A three-day workshop organized by AHADI USAID/UKAID on the development of stakeholders register and policy development for public participation in Mandera County was held at the Granada Hotel in Mandera town. The stakeholders register will help in identifying various stakeholders during public participation and any other county government programs.
  • Public Participation exercise on Falama-Elwak Urban Water Supply Scheme at Elwak Social Hall. The County’s department of Water Services and Department of  Community Engagement, Civic Education and Public Participation held a one-day public participation exercise on Falama-Elwak Urban Water Supply Scheme at Elwak Social Hall. Falama-Elwak urban water supply scheme is a flagship project set to benefit more than 11,000 households in Elwak town and its environs. Elwak residents have since time immemorial relied on shallow wells which are saline.
  • Launch of JUKUMU LANGU Civic Education Guide. Mandera County’s department of Community Engagement, Civic Education and Public Participation in collaboration with Ministry of Devolution and AHADI (USAID/UKAID) launched JUKUMU LANGU which is a guide book for civic education and public participation at Red Sea Resort in Mandera town.
  • Conducted civic education and public participation for CIDP 2023-2027 covering Khalalio and Neboi wards

INTRODUCTION

The Mandera County Government has intensified efforts to ensure lasting peace, cohesion and integration in a region that was formerly hit by inter-clan clashes leaving many dead and properties destroyed. Over the years, prolonged drought sparked resource based inter-clan tensions among the pastoralist communities. The county continues to witness conflicts exacerbated by dwindling pasture and resources, land ownership, local politics (ethnicization of politics), intra-county boundary disputes, cross border dynamics as well as the continued proliferation of small arms and weapons from the war torn Somalia.

Given the complex and multilayered nature of the conflicts in the County, former  Governor, H.E. Capt. Ali Ibrahim Roba in the advent of devolution, created the department of Conflict Management, Cohesion & Integration in order to facilitate and promote harmony and peaceful co-existence between various ethnic communities within and across the border.

The department envisions a society whose values are harmonious and non-discriminatory for peaceful co-existence. It aims at creating a conducive environment to spur economic growth and development within the county. Ultimately the department will enhance cooperation, collaboration, coordination and information flow between communities, peace actors, partners and with the national government.

Since its inception, the department has extensively carried out community dialogue meetings, community peace agreements and accords, internal and cross-border coordination meetings in order to strengthen peace, find a durable solution to clan violence and revamp grassroots peace structures and platforms for sustainable peace.

VISION

A peaceful, harmonious and integrated communities within Mandera County

MISSION

To promote sustainable peace through a collaborative framework between state, non-state actors and communities at county level.

SECTOR PRIORITIES

  • To strengthen peaceful coexistence amongst communities in Mandera County.
  • To enhance early warning and early response mechanisms to conflicts.
  • To coordinate peace building and conflict management interventions within the county.
  • To create and strengthen peace structures and platforms within the county.
  • To research and document trends and emerging issues in peacebuilding and conflict management
  • To enhance the capacity of intra and cross-border peace structures
  • To enhance ADR mechanisms to institutionalize progressive forms of dispute resolution
  • To mobilize resources, foster collaboration, networking, cooperation and partnerships in support of peacebuilding and conflict management programmes and activities
  • To provide policy and technical advice to non-state actors on matters of peace and conflict
  • To Monitor and  evaluate peacebuilding and conflict management programmes

ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE DEPARTMENT

  1. Strengthened the capacity of peace structures to prevent inter-clan conflict.
  2. Facilitated numerous community dialogue meetings to mitigate clan related conflict.
  3. Conducted cross border coordination meetings between various peace structures to prevent, mitigate and respond to cross border issues.
  4. Improved peace and Security through community policing, information sharing systems and peace building.
  5. Boosted Cross Border Engagement between Kenya/ Somalia Kenya/Ethiopia authorities and Communities.
  6. Formed conflict monitoring committees (CMCs) in Banisa which tracks the implementation of peace agreements between the warring clans.
  7. Reduced inter-clan conflicts through Promoting Inclusive Development
  8. organized regular dialogue meetings between security agencies and community groups to enhance trust, information sharing and collaboration.
  9. Implemented peace-dividend initiatives in collaboration with the national  government and non-state actors to minimize resource based conflicts.
  10. drafted a peace policy/bill through the county assembly aimed at guiding and enhancing peace building efforts.
  11. Drastically reduced incidences of clan related violence through de-clanisation of criminal activities among the various community in Mandera.
  12. reopened Rhamu integrated market which was closed since 2013 due to inter-clan conflict, which  enhanced integration and coexistence among the clans.
  13. streamlined Celebration of County, National & International Peace Day.
  14. Increased partnership through cooperation, coordination and collaboration with national    security agencies and the county government has greatly improved the quick response required in handling any threats to peace across the county.

CHALLENGES

  1. Lack of clear linkages between Nyumba kumi initiative, community policing and county policing authority to work effectively.
  2. Cross border engagement being hampered by border closures and uncooperative administrations.
  3. retaliatory and spill-over killings around banisa always raises tensions between neighboring communities.
  4. Lack of commitment from the national government in the implementation of peace and security policies e.g. County Policing Authority
  5. Clan incitements due to political and economic interest by politicians.
  6. Inadequate/delayed funds to respond to incidences of clan conflicts
  7. increased mistrust between local communities and local security agencies poses as impediment to peace and security in the county

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