NG-CDF EMBRACES RISK MANAGEMENT
In the recent past, organizations in the Kenyan market have resorted to train their employees in various fields that the company management thinks will definitely improve their productivity. One of such trainings is Risk Management and the NG-CDF Board has not been left behind. Formerly known as Constituencies Development Fund Board (CDF), the National Government Constituencies Development Fund Board(NG-CDF) is a state corporation established under section 14(1) of the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (Amendment) Act 2016. The Board is charged with the responsibility of administering the NG-CDF and ensure that administration of the Fund is done efficiently and effectively in order to bring about equitable development and reduce poverty at the constituency level. With its main purpose being to enhance infrastructural and socio-economic development at the grass root level, the NG-CDF Board has employed Fund Account Managers (FAMs) who manage the day to day operations at the constituency level and give advice to the NG-CDF Committees as they implement projects according to the laws in place. To enhance this process, a risk management-training workshop was organised for all FAMs in reference to the treasury circular number three of 2009, and that of Mwongozo code of governance chapter three on effective and optimal governance in the state of corporations, providing the basis for adopting risk management best practices. The trainings held in Mombasa, Eldoret, and Embu, in the last three months of 2018, covered presentations and discussions on Risk as a topic, identifying risks; risk based thinking, formulating risk registers, the NG-CDF Board risk management information system and ERM (Enterprise Risk Management) software , a walkthrough on risk management processes and practical session using the software. At the end of the workshop every FAM had to demonstrate knowledge and ability to log into the system and also come up with a constituency Risk register to be used at the constituency level to identify and mitigate risks The training was necessary and timely for NG-CDF Board, in order to build risk management capacity in the organization to ensure that risks are identified early and addressed to enhance service delivery as envisioned by the government. Risk is the main cause of uncertainty in any organization; and NG-CDF Board is cognizant of this fact; focusing more on identifying, prioritizing and managing risks before they even affect the operations of the Board is a far better way for the organization to confidently face the future and make right decisions. The knowledge of the risks the Board is facing will give the Board various options on how to deal with potential problems.