Newly appointed Acting Clerk of the Kisumu County Assembly Nashon Kusina Opanga has pledged to ensure a seamless leadership transition, strengthen service delivery and promote fairness among staff as he assumed the assembly’s top administrative office.
Opanga takes over in an acting capacity after former Clerk Owen Ojuok proceeded on terminal leave ahead of his retirement.
His appointment is in line with the County Assembly Services Act, 2017, which provides for the deputy clerk to assume the office pending the recruitment of a substantive clerk.
He assumes office at a pivotal time for the assembly, which is preparing to relocate to its newly constructed chambers in the Milimani area of Kisumu.
The assembly is expected to occupy the new facility by October, marking a significant milestone in its operations.
Speaking after taking office, Opanga thanked the County Assembly Service Board, Speaker Jack Elisha Oraro, Members of the County Assembly and staff for the confidence they had placed in him.
He described the appointment as the highest honour in the assembly’s public service.
“I pledge to serve diligently, faithfully and professionally, always guided by the Constitution, the law and the values of public service,” he said.
The acting clerk said his leadership would focus on servant leadership, professionalism and accountability, with the aim of building a united, motivated and high-performing assembly administration.
He said improving service delivery would require stronger teamwork, adherence to established administrative structures and respect for the chain of command, while empowering departmental heads to effectively manage their respective units.
Opanga also pledged to create a fair working environment by ensuring equal access to training, professional development and other career advancement opportunities for all staff.
He said some employees had missed out on such opportunities since the establishment of county governments in 2013.
Opanga added that equitable access would improve staff morale, strengthen institutional capacity and foster a sense of inclusion.
“My vision is to leave behind an institution that is more efficient, more professional and better equipped to serve the people of Kisumu County,” he said.
Opanga said he would work to build an administration founded on integrity, discipline, collaboration and mutual respect, where every employee is valued and contributes to the assembly’s success.
He urged staff to embrace teamwork and innovation, saying the institution’s goals could only be achieved through collective effort and a shared commitment to excellence in public service.
With more than a decade of experience in county assembly administration, Opanga joined the Vihiga County Assembly as a legal officer in 2013 before being promoted to deputy clerk in 2015.
He moved to the Kisumu County Assembly in 2021 as deputy clerk, a position he held until his latest appointment.
He also serves as chairperson of the Deputy Clerks Council of Kenya and said he had contributed to the development of legislation governing county assemblies, including the County Assembly Services Act.
On seeking the position on a substantive basis once recruitment begins, Opanga confirmed he would submit his application.
“I’ll be submitting my application when the time comes,” he said.
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