Uasin Gishu County has appointed Mary Kerich as the new Chief Officer for Lands and Physical Planning, marking a strategic leadership shift aimed at accelerating the county’s development agenda. The official handover ceremony was presided over by Edward Sawe, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Lands, Physical Planning, Housing, and Urban Development.
Kerich transitions from her previous role as Chief Officer for Environment, bringing with her a wealth of experience in public administration and interdepartmental coordination. She replaces Geoffrey Tanui, who now takes up new responsibilities in the Department of Roads.
During the ceremony, CECM Sawe underscored the importance of the department in driving Uasin Gishu County’s strategic pillars, specifically Nguzo no. 7 on Land and Physical Planning and Nguzo no. 10 on Urban Development and the City. He called for greater diligence, improved coordination with national agencies, and stronger internal collaboration among staff.
Sawe also emphasized performance management as a key area of focus. “Revenue generation through development control and timely collection of land rates must be prioritized. Currently, the department’s absorption rate stands at 26%, while Housing and Urban Development is at 30%. These figures must improve,” he noted. He urged the team to fast-track pending payments and enhance budget absorption for more impactful service delivery.
Outgoing Chief Officer Geoffrey Tanui expressed appreciation for the opportunity to lead the department, commending staff and directors for their teamwork and professionalism. He noted that their collective effort was critical in managing various departmental sections efficiently.
Julius Koech, Chief Officer for Housing and Urban Development, welcomed Kerich and reiterated the need for unity, integrity, and a shared sense of responsibility in achieving departmental goals.
In her acceptance remarks, Mary Kerich expressed excitement about her new role and affirmed her commitment to building on the department’s existing structures. “I am honored to join the Lands and Physical Planning team. I look forward to learning, collaborating, and ensuring we deliver effectively on Nguzo no. 7 under the leadership of His Excellency Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim,” she said.
Her appointment signals a renewed focus on strengthening institutional performance and enhancing service delivery. As the department enters a new phase of leadership, stakeholders are optimistic that it will continue aligning its operations with the Governor’s transformative development vision for Uasin Gishu County.
