MANDATE Office of the CS & Head of Public Service that has the mandate of Organizing the County Executive Committee meetings, taking minutes and communicating decisions/resolutions. The office is also responsible for Government programmes coordination, Human Capital Management and Record Management. PROFILE Mr. William Makhanu Nasong’o, the County Secretary and Head of Public Service, County Government of Bungoma joined the Public Service on Tuesday, 2nd January, 2024. This was after undergoing rigorous recruitment exercise by a select panel appointed by His Excellency the Governor. He underwent the vetting by County Assembly of Bungoma and eventually sworn in on 8th December, 2023 at Bungoma County Headquarters in an occasion presided over by H.E the Governor. Mr. Nasong’o, a Fourth born son of Mzee Fredrick Nasong’o Kwanusu and Mama Flora Nekesa was born in January 1974 in Misemwa Village, Ndivisi Ward in Webuye East Su-county. He hails from the Tachoni Subtribe of Luhya community. EDUCATION At the age of seven years, Mr. Nasong’o was enrolled in standard one at Misemwa Primary School where his humble roots began. In 1988, he completed his Primary education by sitting KCPE exams where he came top of his class. He joined Chesamisi Boys High School and completed in 1992, thereafter joining University of Nairobi for his undergraduate studies, graduating in 1998, for a B. A Degree in Anthropology. In 2011, Mr. Nasong’o enrolled for his postgraduate studies again at the University of Nairobi for his Master’s Degree in Sociology where he graduated in 2015. CAREER JOURNEY After completing his undergraduate studies in 1988, Mr. Nasong’o entered work environment servicing as a volunteer worker before taking up career in public service in 2007 as a District Officer, Cadet (D.O Cadet). After undergoing a successful induction course at Kenya Institute of Administration (KIA), his first posting took him to Mandera town. In January, 2012 Mr. Nasong’o was transferred from Mandera County and his next tour of duty was at ministry of Defence Headquarters, serving as an Assistant Secretary. He served with dedication, rising in rank to Senior Assistant Secretary. In August 2019, Mr. Nasong’o was transferred to State Law Office where he served with learned friends until the next tour of duty that landed him in Tana Delta Sub-county as a Deputy County Commissioner in August 2020. In October 2021, Mr. Nasong’o was recalled back to Nairobi and posted to Cabinet Affairs office, State House Cabinet Secretariat under Secretary. He served in the Cabinet Secretariat where he gained experience in managing Cabinet affairs, until his new posting to County Government of Bungoma as a County Secretary and Head of Public Service in January 2024. PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION/TRAINING In his journey as a career Civil Servant, Mr. Nasong’o had been privileged to undertake professional studies both in Kenya and abroad. After successfully completing the induction course for Administrative officers at KIA in March 2007, Mr. Nasong’o joined Administrative Police Training College, Embakasi for the Mandatory Administrative officer’s Para Military course on 12th April, 2010 to 7th July, 2010. He also took leadership development course at Mt. Kenya School of Adventure and Leadership, Marania. In December, 2016, Mr. Nasong’o successfully graduated from Kenya School of Government, Kabete campus, with a distinction in a Diploma course, Public Administration (Dip P.A). He also completed the mandatory six week course in Senior Management (SMC) in the same year, with a credit at KSG, Mombasa campus. Mr. Nasong’o in January 2015 went to Hyderabad city at Bella Vista in India where he obtained a certificate in General Management Programme for Senior Executives. Again in the same breadth, he went across the Atlantic Ocean to USA where he took a certificate course on Executive Seminar on Advanced Ethics and Good Governance at Newport, RI USA in September 2017. He also participated in joint Military exercise in Adama City, Ethiopia. In addition, Mr. Nasong’o has taken other relevant courses including the following; Writing Cabinet Memorandum, Policy Formulation, Implementation and Analysis, Integrity Assurance officer by EACC, Effective Report, Project Proposal and Minute Writing , Promotion of National values and Principles of Governance , Rule of Law at International Peace Support Training Centre, Karen, Nairobi among others. AWARDS Mr. Nasong’o, has served with distinction in his earlier postings. In December, 2018 while at Ministry of Defence headquarter, he was awarded a certificate of Excellence for his outstanding work performance during a colorful ceremony presided over by the Cabinet Secretary for Defence and the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). In 2012, Mr. Nasong’o was given a commendation for having actively participated in the formulation of HIV and AIDS Policy for the Ministry of Defence. VISION Mr. Nasong’o aspires to transform Public Service of County Government of Bungoma to uphold high standards of professional ethics, efficient, effective and economical use of public resources and be responsive, prompt, effective, impartial and equitable in provision of services to wananchi. CONCLUSION Mr. Nasong’o underscores the need to promote and uphold the national values and principles of governance in Article 10 of Kenya Constitution. Good governance, integrity, transparency and accountability, rule of law and respect for human rights being key drive in shaping the county that we desire. I implore all public servants to serve with dedication, to deliver to Wananchi the best services possible with a zeal of continuous improvement.