Kamuwongo elders told to deliver results as government begins paying stipends

By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT 

Kamuwongo Assistant County Commissioner, Edward Mwangi said the payments should motivate the elders to work harder, deliver tangible results and strengthen their contribution to grassroots administration. Mwangi, who described the elders as “village managers”, said the government expected them to justify the financial support by enhancing service delivery and demonstrating greater responsibility in their communities.

The newly posted administrator was speaking during Mashujaa Day celebrations at Kamuwongo Modern Market on Tuesday. He urged the elders to recognise themselves as an integral part of the national government rather than peripheral actors in the administration system.

“There should be no ambiguity about the government’s position on your role as village managers. You are part of the government, not an appendage. “That is part of the reasons the government has decided to provide you with stipends,” Mwangi told the elders.

He said their responsibilities mirrored those of chiefs and assistant chiefs, albeit at a lower administrative level, making them indispensable representatives of the national government at the grassroots. "The job description of village managers mirrors that of chiefs and their assistants, but at the lowest level. You are indispensable representatives of the national government at the grassroots,” he said.

Mwangi challenged the elders to remain vigilant and proactive in addressing challenges within their communities, warning them against turning a blind eye to wrongdoing or becoming complicit in activities that undermine law and order. “You have special responsibility and a serious role to play in society. You must not look the other way when things are going wrong or become complicit,” he said.

He urged the elders to intensify security surveillance, promote peaceful coexistence, help eradicate illicit brews and drug abuse, and ensure all school-age children attend school.

Mwangi also underscored their responsibility to resolve community disputes through dialogue and reconciliation, saying they should take the lead in restoring harmony whenever conflicts arise. "It is your responsibility to restore peace among community members in the event of conflicts by encouraging dialogue and reconciliation among disputants,” he said.

On education and child protection, the administrator called on the village elders to help curb child and teenage pregnancies among schoolgirls. He urged them to work closely with parents and other community stakeholders to ensure that girls who become pregnant are supported to resume their education after childbirth. “In cases where girls fall pregnant, you should seek solutions, including encouraging parents to take them back to school to continue with their studies after giving birth,” Mwangi said.