Vihiga County has taken a bold step in institutionalising a culture of performance through its first-ever Public Service Excellence Awards, recognising departments and individuals who have gone above and beyond in service delivery.
By Mitchel Anne Adhiambo, Vihiga
Meshack Onzere Mulongo, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Environment, Water, Energy, Natural Resources, and Climate Change, has been named the best-performing minister in Vihiga County with a remarkable performance score of 125%.
The announcement was made during the inaugural Vihiga County Public Service Excellence Awards for the 2023/2024 financial year.
Mulongo’s stellar performance was attributed to timely project implementation, strategic planning, and his department’s proactive alignment to climate-resilient development goals.
Supporting his portfolio are two seasoned professionals – two chief officers namely Dr Richard Kipkemboi Boiyo (Environment, Energy, Natural Resources and Climate Change) and Dr Noel Malanda (Water and Sanitation).
Mulongo together with his team has overseen a number of impactful initiatives including tree planting drives, climate change symposiums, and waste management consultations that have drawn praise across the devolved unit.
Hot on Mulongo’s heels is Nicholas Kitungulu, the CECM for Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, who earned a score of 96.7%, placing him second.
He serves alongside Dr Betty Mulianga, the department’s chief officer. Their office has championed agricultural transformation in Vihiga, supporting farmers with inputs, promoting sustainable food production, and investing in livestock health and aquaculture.
In third place was Dr Julius Kiboen Maruja, the CECM for Health Services, who scored 86.05%. Working with Dr Mary Susan Ayienda, the Chief Officer.
Dr Maruja’s department has been instrumental in improving health infrastructure and enhancing access to quality care, especially in underserved areas of the county.
The event, held in Mbale town, was presided over by Vihiga Governor Dr Wilber Ottichilo and brought together senior county officials, departmental staff, administrators, and representatives from the National Public Service Commission (PSC).
The awards aim to recognise exceptional performance in public service and reaffirm the county’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and measurable outcomes.
In his keynote address, Governor Ottichilo lauded the top-performing departments and encouraged others to learn from their success. “These awards are not just about recognition-they are a call to action. We must build a results-driven culture in our service to the people,” he said.
The scores were derived from detailed annual evaluations tracking departmental deliverables, transparency in operations, and the adoption of innovative practices. Individual performance was assessed through the Human Resource Information Management System (HRMIS), managed by the Department of Public Service and Administration.
However, despite the achievements of a few departments, the ceremony also brought to light a worrying trend in appraisal compliance. Chief Officer Philip Gavuna revealed that out of the county’s 3,200 staff, only 1,306 submitted appraisal forms—reflecting a compliance rate of just 40.81%.
A breakdown of the appraisals showed that 65 staff were rated as Excellent (above 101%), 225 received a Very Good score (100%), 664 were classified as Good (ranging between 80–99%), 290 scored Fair (60–79%), while 36 received a Poor rating (below 60%), and 26 staff were not appraised at all.
Gavuna warned that failure to appraise staff weakens data-based decision-making regarding promotions, training, and resource allocation. “Performance appraisal is the engine of fairness and productivity. Without it, we risk blind decision-making,” he said.
To address these gaps, the county government plans to enforce policy changes. These include upgrading the HRMIS platform to allow for real-time tracking, increasing department-level accountability, and instituting administrative consequences for non-compliance with future appraisal deadlines.
The PSC, which partnered with the county in coordinating the awards, offered technical guidance in developing evaluation templates, setting performance objectives, and standardising award criteria. PSC representatives urged Vihiga and other counties to embrace automated appraisal systems, continuous feedback loops, and 360-degree reviews to strengthen public service delivery.
Mulongo and Kitungulu’s high performance has stirred political debate in their home constituencies. Residents from Emuhaya and Sabatia are now calling on the two CECMs to run for parliamentary seats in the 2027 general election, citing their proven administrative capabilities and development track records.
The awards come as part of a broader county effort to instill a culture of performance excellence. Staff from all departments recently underwent capacity-building sessions led by the Public Service Committee (PSC), which focused on automating HR functions, adopting real-time feedback, and mentoring leaders for better performance outcomes.
Key recommendations from the training included transitioning from paper-based to digital HR systems, integrating real-time feedback into routine operations, and using performance data for strategic planning and decision-making.
Deputy Governor Wilberforce Kitiezo, who also spoke at the event, challenged departments to treat the awards not as a final goal but a starting point for renewed commitment. “Recognition only matters if it makes us improve. This is the beginning of a culture of excellence, not the end,” he said.
He further called for a shift in perception around performance appraisals—from tools of discipline to instruments of professional growth. “If used constructively, appraisals can help identify talent, expose weaknesses, and foster teamwork,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mulongo and Kitungulu’s high performance has stirred political debate in their home constituencies. Residents from Emuhaya and Sabatia are now calling on the two CECMs to run for parliamentary seats in the 2027 general election, citing their proven administrative capabilities and development track records.
Looking ahead, the County Government of Vihiga plans to increase awareness around the appraisal process, link budget allocations with performance data, enhance transparency in human resource practices, and launch community feedback channels to improve service delivery.
