MERU, Kenya – Chiefs and assistant chiefs across Meru County have been challenged to take a more active role in promoting government programmes and ensuring development projects are effectively implemented at the grassroots level.

Speaking during a consultative workshop bringing together National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) in Meru County, Kilemi Kiburi, the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Cooperatives, said local administrators must work closely with the government and help wananchi understand key national agendas.

“As administration officers, our mandate is to work with the government of the day,” said Dr. Kiburi. “Chiefs are expected to help communicate government programmes to the public and ensure wananchi are fully informed.”

The workshop brought together assistant chiefs, chiefs, assistant county commissioners, county commissioners and the Eastern Regional Commissioner Jacob Ouma.

Principal Secretary in the State Department for Forestry Mugambi Gitonga urged local administrators to remain informed about all projects being implemented within their jurisdictions and ensure they are completed on schedule.

He noted that NGAO officers play a critical role in monitoring government development initiatives and strengthening the link between wananchi and the national government.

Head of Protocol in the Office of the Deputy President Gideon Kimathi described chiefs and assistant chiefs as key pillars in government administration at the grassroots.

“Chiefs and assistant chiefs are the eyes of the President at the grassroots and they must ensure all government projects are properly supervised,” said Kimathi.

The meeting also brought together senior government officials, including Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu, alongside senior NGAO officers from across Meru County.

The workshop focused on strengthening coordination between national government administrators and state departments to enhance service delivery, accountability and effective implementation of government programmes across the county.