Governor Otuoma Reassigns County Executives and Chief Officers in Major Reshuffle to Boost Service Delivery
The governor further hinted that more changes might come once the ongoing contracting processes in different departments are completed.
Busia Governor Paul Otuoma. Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
Busia Governor Paul Otuoma announced broad changes in his County Executive Committee and the Chief Officers cadre, citing that the reshuffle is part of a wider strategy to entrench good governance and enhance the efficiency of service delivery in all departments. The reorganization announced this week affected several key portfolios, with the governor outlining that such adjustments were needed to fast-track development and resolve persistent challenges in critical sectors.
In the new lineup, Andrew Nakitare has been moved from the Department of Public Service Management and Governance to head the Treasury and Finance docket. He replaces Douglas Okiring, who has now been redeployed to lead the Department of Lands, Housing, and Urban Planning. Meanwhile, Topister Wanyama has shifted from the Water Department to take over the Roads and Public Works portfolio. Her predecessor, Peter Odima, shifts in the opposite direction to take over responsibility for Water, Environment, and Natural Resources.
Pamela Awori returns to her previous station in the Department of Public Service Management after serving in Lands, Housing, and Urban Planning. Governor Otuoma also made several adjustments within the Chief Officers’ ranks. Ahmed Hefow has been transferred from Public Works to become the Chief Officer for Treasury and Economic Planning. Esau Onyapidi will now serve in the Department of Education and Industrial Training, replacing Faustine Aunoi, who moves to Lands, Housing, and Urban Development. Aunoi takes over from Vincent Wanjala, who has been redeployed to the Department of Trade and Investments.
Other changes include the transfer of Timothy Odende from Trade to the Department of Environment, Water, and Natural Resources. Gibson Wafula has been moved to the Health Department, replacing Dr. Wilberforce Lusamba, who moves to the Department of Strategic Partnership. John Muroki is transferred from Environment and Natural Resources to Roads and Public Works.
Governor Otuoma appointed Elijah Mwaro to the position of Acting Chief Officer in the Office of the Governor while retaining his responsibilities in Smart Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and the Blue Economy. Solomon Abwaku has been posted to Gender, Culture, and Social Protection, replacing Pascilisa Barasa, who now becomes Chief Officer for Security and Enforcement.
The governor further hinted that more changes might come once the ongoing contracting processes in different departments are completed. He recognized concerns felt in the health, education, and water sectors and commented that the reshuffle is intended to realign leadership with departmental needs.
Otuoma highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance service delivery, including upgrading hospital services, expanding access to water through new projects, and finalizing the construction of over 100 ECDE classrooms. He said that these interventions are targeted at uplifting the welfare of Busia residents.
He added that the county is embarking on major urban reorganization plans for Busia town, including holding talks with Ugandan counterparts to establish a cross-border metropolis that is expected to stimulate trade and revenue. “These plans will create more revenue for us,” he said.
The governor also spoke about pending bills, saying the county has completed an audit to verify their authenticity. He again emphasized the need to grow the own-source revenue of Busia to ease the budgetary pressure. “We must strengthen our revenue collection if we are to effectively manage pending bills and sustain development,” he said. The sweeping changes have signaled the administration’s intent to refine its operations and offer better services to residents as Busia moves toward more streamlined governance and improved socio-economic outcomes.
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