By Peter Ochieng
Former Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Jerome Okoth Ochieng has landed a post in Kisumu governor Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o’s administration.
Ochieng who served under retired President Uhuru Kenyatta has been nominated as the Kisumu County Executive Committee Member (CECM), in charge of Lands and Physical Planning.
“I have today, Tuesday 30th April 2024 nominated former ICT Principal Secretary, Mr. Jerome Okoth Ochieng for appointment as the County Executive Committee Member for Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Development,” Nyong’o said in a press statement.
Upon approval by the Kisumu County Assembly, Ochieng will replace Kennedy Hongo who was recently sacked by the second term governor.
Hongo was sacked alongside Maryline Agwa who was in charge of Water and Environment. The governor did not disclose the reason for their sacking.
Jerome Ochieng has over 20 years experience in Information and communications technology, and public service.
He previously served as ICT Manager with Public Procurement Oversight Authority for 6 years.
He holds a Masters Degree in Information Engineering from the University of Ryukyus, Okinawa in Japan.
He is a registered fellow of Computer Society of Kenya, and alienated Member of the Institute of Management Information Systems (IMS) UK.
While serving as ICT PS years back, Ochieng said the government would roll out programs that will see all government schools enabled to take up ICT courses at the secondary level.
He said ICT are very important to students during this era.
“Issues of ICT are important and students also want to take the courses and we also feel honoured with those already enrolled in the course since they are taking it seriously,” he said at Maseno High School.
“This is work that is in progress and the ministry of education is the key driver and we are just supporting them as they move towards that direction,” he added.
The former PS is expected to spearhead major changes in the lands docket, once he is approved by the Assembly.
