Taita Taveta Governor Andrew Mwadime has nominated two veteran educationists to head the county’s Health and Education departments, signaling a preference for experienced public administrators as he moves to fill two key executive positions.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, the Governor nominated Alfred Mwadime Mlolwa as the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health Services and Dishon K. Mngoda as the CECM for Education, Libraries and Vocational Training Centers. The nominations now await vetting and approval by the Taita Taveta County Assembly before the nominees can formally assume office.
The appointments place two career teachers at the helm of critical county departments, with Mlolwa bringing decades of leadership in education, cooperative management and public service administration.
Mlolwa, a respected educationist from Ngolia Ward in Voi Constituency, has more than 35 years’ experience in the teaching profession, including 24 years as a head teacher.
He holds a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Nairobi, a Diploma in Education Management from the Kenya Education Management Institute (KEMI) and a P1 teaching certificate from Kilimambogo Teachers College.
Beyond the classroom, Mlolwa is widely known for his long service in the cooperative movement. He has served for more than 15 years as Chairman of Qwetu Sacco, formerly Taita Taveta Teachers Sacco, where he oversaw the growth of one of the county’s largest teachers’ financial institutions.
He has also served as a director of the Kenya Union of Savings and Credit Cooperatives (KUSCCO) since 2011, exposing him to governance, financial oversight and human resource management.
His public service credentials were further strengthened in January 2020 when he was appointed Chairperson of the Taita Taveta County Public Service Board, a position in which he has overseen recruitment, discipline and human resource management within the county government.
The second nominee, Dishon K. Mngoda, is also a professional teacher. Although his public profile has remained relatively low compared to Mlolwa’s, county records show he has actively sought senior public leadership positions. Earlier this year, he was shortlisted for interviews for the position of Chairperson of the Taita Taveta County Public Service Board, demonstrating his interest and qualifications in public administration.
Governor Mwadime said the nominations followed a competitive recruitment process conducted by a duly constituted selection panel in accordance with Article 179(2)(b) of the Constitution and Section 35 of the County Governments Act.
He expressed confidence that the two nominees possess the leadership qualities required to strengthen service delivery and advance the county’s development agenda.
“The Governor expresses confidence in the nominees’ ability to provide strategic leadership in their respective sectors and contribute to the realization of the County Government’s development agenda and service delivery objectives,” the statement reads.
If approved by the County Assembly, Mlolwa will take charge of the health docket at a time when counties are under pressure to improve healthcare services, staffing and access to essential medical supplies. Mngoda, meanwhile, will oversee Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE), vocational training centres and county libraries, sectors considered central to skills development and youth employment.
The nominations come as Governor Mwadime continues to reshape his administration following recent changes within the county executive.
County Assembly committees are expected to vet the nominees before tabling their recommendations for debate and approval by the House, in line with the Public Appointments (County Assemblies Approval) Act, 2017.
