Governor Stephen Kipyego Sang is currently serving as the Chief Whip of the Council of Governors, having been re-elected on August 9, 2022 for his second term.
In his first term, Governor Sang served as Chairman of the Governors’ Intergovernmental Relations Committee after being elected as the second Governor of Nandi County. At the age of 32, he became the youngest Governor in Kenya since the adoption of the devolved system in 2010.
As Governor, Sang has been at the forefront in spearheading infrastructural reforms and developmental progress in the heath, agriculture, transport and education sectors among others in Nandi county. In 2019, Sang was recognized as the among the most influential young African in the Law and Governance category of the Africa Youth Awards. At the same time, the County Government of Nandi was ranked position two in the Open Government Partnership Global Innovations Awards.
Governor Sang has initiated an overseas work and study program in Finland aimed at providing access to various educational and professional opportunities for Nandi County residents. He has begun expanding the scope and commenced partnerships with Canada and Poland among others to match students with appropriate academic institutions, programs and career opportunities.
An Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with a Bachelors of Laws Degree from the University of Nairobi, Sang also made history in 2013 when he was elected the youngest Senator at the age of 28 in Kenya’s inaugural Senate.
At the Senate, Governor Sang served as the Chairperson of the Sessional Committee on Delegated Legislation, Vice Chairperson of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights and a representative of Kenyan Parliament in the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU). His legislative record speaks for itself having sponsored a record six bills during a single parliamentary term.
During his tenure at the Senate, Senator Sang championed for the compensation of Nandi residents affected by historical injustices. He went ahead to present a petition on historical injustices against the Talai clan by the British Colonial government.
To date, several claims are ongoing and await determination by the National Land Commission (NLC). However, the execution of favourable judgements have been delayed by aggrieved perpetrators. The appealed matters that are outside the
jurisdiction of NLC have been filed and are ongoing before various courts of law.
His great love for Nandi saw Sang becoming instrumental in the establishment and allocation of resources for the Koitalel Samoei University which was officially launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta in July 2017. The construction of this memorial university in Nandi Hills will be hopefully completed in President William Ruto’s Presidency.
At the same time, Sang is credited with sponsoring a number of bills, including the County Development Boards Bill, County Statutory Instruments Bill, County Hall of Fame Bill, County Assembly Services Bill and Office of the County Printer Bill.
Others include County Government Amendment Bill, Office of County Attorney Bill and the County Boundaries Review Bill. The County Development Boards Act, popularly known as the ‘Sang bill’, was aimed at establishing a platform for county leaders to work together in prioritizing development projects and ensure that there is no duplication and mismanagement of county funds
Upon completion of his undergraduate studies in 2008, Sang was employed as a program officer at Emo Community Development. At EMO’s Justice, Peace and Reconciliation (EMO JPRC), he served as the first Secretary and Chief Executive Officer. The EMO JPRC engaged in peace building and reconciliation efforts in the rift valley region in the aftermath of the 2007 post-election violence.
He, along with other Rift Valley professionals established the Rift Valley Development Trust (RIVDET), a civil society organization working towards main streaming the participation of Rift Valley community in the national reforms processes including the enactment of a new constitutional dispensation. He served as its first Executive Director.
Sang also engaged as a consultant on governance and democracy issues with different organizations including DFID, SEA, USAID, KTL, local Community-Based Organizations among others.
Sang started school at little-known Kitaor and later Kobujoi Primary schools in Aldai constituency then joined Kapsabet Boys High School for his secondary school education.
TALKING NOTES FOR GOVERNOR STEPHEN SANG, DURING THE OFFICIAL SIGNING OF THE PERFORMANCE CONTRACTS FOR COUNTY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND CHIEF OFFICERS, AND THE INAUGURATION OF THE KAPSABET MUNICIPAL BAORD ON 12TH NOVEMEBER, 2018, COUNTY HEADQUARTERS, KAPSABET.
Today, we are signing Performance Contracts with the County Executive Committee Members and their respective Chief Officers.
As you are aware, Performance Management is legislated for in the County Government Act, as follows: Section 47 – Performance Management Plan that gives powers to the County Executive Committee to design a performance management plan to evaluate performance of the county public service and implementation of county policies;
Effective performance management is fundamental to the delivery of high quality services. Whilst the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) provides the framework for strategic decision-making and resource allocation, performance management ensures the effective implementation of the strategic objectives, projects, programmes and key initiatives set out in the CIDP.
Therefore, through the PC’s signed today, we now have a mechanism to monitor, review and improve the implementation of the CIDP and to track the progress made.
Thus:-
- Ensuring increased accountability between my Government and the Citizens of Nandi in delivery of services;
- Improving service delivery by providing early warning signals with regard to risk or under-performance and allows for timely corrective measures;
- Facilitating decision-making: that allows for efficient, effective and informed decision-making, particularly on the allocation of resources.
Performance Contracting will be cascaded as follows:-
The County Executive Committee Members (CECM) will sign Performance with their respective Chief Officers.
The objective is to ensure that ALL flagship projects within the Departments are implemented within stipulated time periods. The CECM therefore commit to oversee all processes related to delivery of such projects and their chief Officers will ensure commitment of funds and prudent expenditure of those resources while at the same time upholding quality of work done.
The Third and final Level of Performance Contracting will be between the Chief Officers and their respective Directors who give technical support to the department and ensures all planned activities of the year are fully implemented in accordance with the approved work plan.
All other employees will be put on Performance Appraisal System (PAS) and end year evaluations on their performance will be done.
INAUGURATION OF THE KAPSABET MUNICIPALITY BOARD
As you are aware; Section 9 of the Urban Areas and Cities Act, 2011, empowers me as the Governor, on the resolution of the County Assembly, to confer on a qualifying town, the status of a Municipality by grant of a charter.
I am glad that the County Assembly of Nandi approved the motion for conferment of the status of the Municipality on Kapsabet town. This paved way for the grant of the Charter, which was done on the 24th of September, 2018.
Nandi County met the minimum conditions set, and thus has qualified for the Urban Institutional Grant and Urban Development Grant under the Kenya Urban Support Program.
The ‘Nandi County Municipal Charter’ has been gazetted, meaning there are great expectations geared towards transforming the urban areas through proper Urban Planning and Management.
These are the key enablers in achieving quality and affordable housing as a pillar in the Big Four Agenda. This means all efforts by the County Government of Nandi are in place for this achievement.
The conferment of Kapsabet Town as a Municipality will thus achieve various objectives that include:
- Promotion, regulation and provision of refuse collection and solid Waste Management Services
- Promotion and Provision of water and sanitation services and infrastructure (in areas within the Municipality not served by a water and sanitation providers)
- Construction and maintenance of urban roads and associated infrastructure
- Construction and maintenance of storm drainage and flood controls
- Construction and maintenance of walkways and other non-motorized transport infrastructure
- Construction and maintenance of recreational parks and green spaces
- Construction and maintenance of street lighting
- Construction, maintenance and regulation of traffic controls and parking facilities
- Construction and maintenance of bus stands and taxi stands
- Regulation of outdoor advertising and ensuring that the County Government of Nandi is provided with guidance and capacity building to enable it establish and operate Urban Management Institutions for its urban areas.
- Construction and maintenance of a fire station, firefighting services, emergency preparedness and disaster management among others.
Consequently, the inauguration of the Kapsabet Municipality Board Members means that residents will now start receiving better services. They will oversee the running of affairs of the municipality and towns in general.
Kapsabet Municipality boundary shall cover locations of Kaptildil, Chepterit, Chemundu, Kamobo, Kiminda, Kipture, Kipsigak and Kabirsang.
May I now congratulate the following who have been appointed to serve as Members of the Kapsabet Municipal Board. They bring on board various competencies, which I believe will transform delivery of quality service to Nandi residents.
Board Members
- Dr. Charles Lagat
- Mrs Emily Sigot
- Mr. Donald Kibet Koros (Representing Persons Living with Disabilities)
- Ms. Janet Jeruto (Representing the Youth)
- Mr. Kasmir Sang (Representing the Informal Sector/Kiosk Operators Association)
- Ms. Aileen J. Laitobir (Representing the Local Urban Forum-Nandi)
- Ms. Ruth Cherotich Koech (Representing the Neighborhood Association/Kapsabet Land Owners Association)
- Mr. Geoffrey Kiprotich Koros (Representing Professional Associations)
- Mr. David Kiptoo Busienei (Representing the Private Sector/Chamber of Commerce)
Municipal Manager
- David Kimutai Sum
Congratulations and I wish you the very best as you seek to deliver your mandate as the inaugural Kapsabet Municipality Board.
Thank you, God Bless Nandi.
HON. STEPHEN K. ARAAP SANG
GOVERNOR, NANDI COUNTY