KISUMU, 6 November 2026 -Residents and participants attending the upcoming biennial County Public Service Convention have been assured of maximum security as the lakeside city of Kisumu prepares to host the five-day event, beginning on Monday, 9 November 2026.
The convention will be held under the theme “Enhancing Performance and Productivity in County Public Service” and seeks to address human resource challenges facing the public service, future arrangements, negotiation skills, new ways of working, and the creation of lasting collaborations and partnerships among the 47 counties.
Speaking during a media briefing attended by representatives of various government agencies at the Nyanza Provincial Headquarters, Kisumu County Commissioner Hussein Mwabudzo emphasised that security agencies had put in place elaborate measures to ensure the convention’s success.
He reiterated that Kisumu had hosted several successful local and international events without a single incident being reported, including the Cycling African Championship (CAC), Dala Seven and the County Assemblies Association (CASA) Games, among others.
Mwabudzo attributed this to the ample security arrangements in place and the overwhelming support they receive from members of the public and the community at large.
“We want to give our assurance to all members and the general public that Kisumu city and the county as a whole are very safe and secure. So, come and enjoy your stay, come and participate during the convention,” he said at his office.
Mr Mwabudzo urged those attending to make the event more memorable than ever by engaging in the various activities lined up.
“We encourage members of the Public Service Board who are coming here to use the floor, so you can come with your family as well, to celebrate the week; we highly appreciate you.”
He further encouraged them to savour the area’s numerous tourist destinations and contribute to the booming tourism sector. “There is a lot to experience, and therefore, we will be glad if you bring your family here in Samburu, and stay for as long as you want to, stay and enjoy.”
Mwabudzo described the residents as very hospitable and said they enjoyed mingling with visitors coming to Kisumu. “We are very supportive of the event; we respect our guests whenever they are here and look forward to hosting more events which are aligned for this year and early next year.”
Regarding isolated reported incidents, he assured attendees that the authorities remained alert and would take decisive action to deter anyone with criminal intent from coming to the city or county.
They do this by conducting regular coordinated raids in the city and its environs, carrying out follow-ups and ensuring the timely apprehension of those involved. “We want to have a very secure and safe Kisumu city, at all times.”
On his part, Kisumu County Board Chairman James Otieno Obondi expressed his pleasure that the county had been selected to host the event, with the previous edition having been held in Mombasa.
“On behalf of our governor Prof Anyang Nyong’o, who is also the co-convenor, we expect everything to go well. Of great concern, this will give the Kisumu people an opportunity, and the board members also take part, in the network, so we will be having a shared time,” he remarked.
He highlighted some of the challenges counties face, including having a large workforce, describing it as a significant employment disparity. “In Kisumu, for example, we have about 2,000 employees, and it is a challenge, and we are trying to resolve it. It has led to a downtrend in our recruitment, and we also have to focus on hiring qualified personnel who can best do devolved functions.”
In employment, he said that they are also addressing technical services, and we are also finding ways of retaining the post-workers.
