By Jerameel Kevins Owuor Odhiambo
William James once quipped that the deepest craving of human nature is the need to be appreciated. This words seem true as when they were said. It is in line with this that Huduma Centre Mombasa held their 3rd Annual Awards Ceremony. To have some context, the centre Mombasa which is one of the cities in Kenya. Thousands seeks vital government services on a day to day basis be it a driving license, registering for pension, identity card application name 
it. Despite the demands a culture of excellence is taking root at Huduma Centre Mombasa. It has to go on record that the Centre was ranked the best in the previous financial year among other Huduma Centres in the country. The award was given to the Centre Manager by the then Cabinet Secretary Bedan Muturi. This was courtesy of strategic leadership, customer centric service and responsiveness to the citizens who seek services in the centre.
The ceremony is designed to recognize, reward, and celebrate exceptional performance, dedication, and professionalism among its staff throughout the year. The event underscored the Centre’s unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of excellence, teamwork, and accountability in public service delivery, setting a benchmark for 
government institutions across the Coast region and nationwide. The awards process was notably inclusive and participatory, with employees themselves nominating and voting for their peers across various categories, reflecting mutual respect and appreciation within the workplace. To uphold integrity and transparency, an independent panel was tasked with reviewing and validating the nominations before finalizing the recipients. This democratic approach not only ensured fairness but also strengthened the bonds of camaraderie among staff members, creating an environment where excellence is both recognized and celebrated by those who witness it firsthand.
Speaking during the ceremony, Centre Manager Mr. Harison Yogo emphasized that the annual awards initiative serves 
as a strategic tool for motivating employees and enhancing performance. He noted that recognizing and rewarding exemplary service does not only boost staff morale but also inspires a healthy spirit of competition, innovation, and continuous improvement. Mr. Yogo further stated that when employees feel valued and appreciated, they are more likely to go above and beyond in their duties, approaching their work with professionalism, efficiency, and integrity. His words resonated throughout the hall, reminding everyone present that exceptional service begins with exceptional recognition.
The ceremony honored outstanding performers across twenty-six categories, each representing a critical facet of service delivery at Huduma Centre Mombasa. Onesmus Makalo from the AGPO desk was crowned Employee of the Year, while the Service Desk of the Year award went to the DCI desk. The Customer Service Week Service Desk of the Year was claimed by CAS, and the Service Excellence Award was presented to ICT. Joseph Katana Lela from ICT received the PIT Chair of the Year award, demonstrating leadership in employee welfare and representation.
Rebecca Wausi Mbuva from DCI was recognized with the Leadership Excellence Award for her exemplary guidance and commitment to service delivery. The Collaboration and Partnership Award went to Simeon Mkala Mzame from the Pensions desk, while NRB received the Most Improved Award for their desk’s remarkable transformation. KEPHIS was honored with the Collaboration and Partnership Award for desks, and David Ongeri, a Centre Assistant, was named Customer Service Champion for his unwavering dedication to client satisfaction. Titus Omudi Vusaka from DCI took home the Huduma Standards Award, while Jamila Mzee Mohamed from NSSF was celebrated with the Integrity and Ethics Award.
Innovation and creativity found their champion in Ruth Deche from SHG, who won the Innovation and Creativity Award. Ruth Bonaneri Asimba from the Information desk was also recognized in this category. Kelvin Kalama Mwatsuma from NRB was named Smartest and Best Groomed Male, while Fridah Mutanu Mutisya, a Centre Assistant, claimed the female category. Boniface Muchangi Ndigwa from the Cyber desk received the Continuous Improvement Award, and Nawwar Mohammed from KUCCPS was honored as Huduma Ambassador of the Year. Laurent Ahsantey from Affirmative won the Climate Champion Award, while Onesmus Muhumwa from CRS took home the Talent Award for Creativity.
Dennis Ngala Chome from NRB was celebrated as the Rising Star, and Chief Inspector Dr. Rhodah Kithuku received the Leadership in Security Affairs award for her exceptional crowd management and investigative skills. Anthony Githinji from Mwalimu AP was recognized for Realibility in Service Excellence. The Awards for Deputy CM Leadership went to Patience Neema Sirya from NRB, Rebecca Wausi Mbuva from DCI, and Onesmus Makalo from AGPO. Panelist Awards were distributed among Dorcas Luvuno from Customer Service, Chesire Noah Kampala from Health, William Matano, Emanuel Okeno Otieno, Florence Waithira Maluti, and Anthony Furaha Karisa. The CM’s Award for exceptional support went to Tawadud Musa Juma and Dickson Kaingu, both Centre Assistants.
Behind these awards lie powerful stories of transformation and impact. Chief Inspector Dr. Rhodah Kithuku, awarded Leadership in Security Affairs, shared a defining moment from her year when the President declared free IDs, resulting in overwhelming crowds at the centre. “I was called upon, went and talked to them, and they calmed down. Members of the public applauded me for my leadership qualities,” she recalled. Her biggest challenge remains helping clients understand system downtimes, yet the award has given her renewed motivation to continue performing her duties with excellence. Dr. Kithuku’s advice to new staff is simple yet profound: understand your roles and responsibilities and perform them well. Her commitment to customer satisfaction drives her daily, exemplified when she used CCTV footage to investigate and recover a stolen phone for a distressed client.
Nawwar Hammad Mohamed, KUCCPS Service Desk officer and Huduma Ambassador of the Year 2025, has witnessed remarkable transformation in how students respond to higher education opportunities. “The response to students showing up at Huduma Centre Mombasa who want to transition into Higher Education is taking a very positive note,” she noted. Her most treasured moments include serving a visually impaired leader and traveling to Kwale School for the Deaf to deliver career talks with her colleague Olivia. As the only KUCCPS officer in the Coast Region, Nawwar has learned creative ways of working smart and enhanced her stakeholder engagement. Her philosophy is deeply rooted in service: “We at Huduma Centre Mombasa are a blessed team who get the opportunity to serve humanity, hence serving Allah in return. So seek happiness in doing that, because the happiness you build in yourself daily will be the happiness you share.”
Rebecca Wausi Mbuva, recipient of both Service Desk of the Year and Leadership Excellence Award, exemplifies the spirit of going beyond the call of duty. She recalls helping a client whose lost ID was critical for accessing medication services. “I wisely handled it by printing a copy and writing a document which later helped her travel for medication. She came back and appreciated me,” Rebecca shared. Her greatest challenge has been dealing with rude clients while maintaining composure and professionalism. The awards have energized and motivated her tremendously, and she takes immense satisfaction in her work environment, which fuels her pursuit of excellence. One of her proudest achievements was processing a client’s Police Clearance Certificate within the expected time, which secured him employment, a reminder that timely service can transform lives.
The ceremony concluded on an optimistic note, with renewed commitment from staff and management to sustain high standards of service delivery. Mr. Yogo, the Centre Manager, expressed confidence that the recognition accorded to outstanding employees would translate into increased productivity, stronger teamwork, and improved service outcomes in the coming year, reaffirming Huduma Centre Mombasa’s dedication to public service excellence and citizen satisfaction. As the applause faded and staff returned to their desks, one truth remained crystal clear: when you honor those who serve, you elevate the very essence of service itself, creating a ripple effect that touches every citizen who walks through those doors seeking help, hope, and humanity.
Mt Kenya Times 
John Kamau