By Agwanda Saye.
Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o has today welcomed H.E. Siv Cathrine Moe, Norway’s Ambassador to Kenya, alongside Dr. Shaheen Nilofer, the UNICEF Country Representative, during a courtesy call at his City Hall office.
Their mission was to review the progress of the Humanitarian Innovation Programme, aptly titled “No One is Kept Out” (NIKO), funded by the Government of Norway and implemented in partnership with UNICEF and other stakeholders.
The programme identified children with disabilities, register them officially. Connect them to services (health,education,assistive devices ,social protection) and ensure they are not left out during emergencies (e.g. floods,crisis).
Kisumu is being used as a pilot county because it has relatively high disability prevalence because of high HIV rates ,faces vulnerabilities(flooding ,informal settlements) as well as having County leadership and partnerships.
Governor Nyong’o also said that Dr. Shaheen had announced the extension of UNICEF’s Strengthening Nutrition Resilience and Recovery Project in Kisumu County until December 2027.
“This programme which has been operational in Migori, Homa Bay, Kisumu, and Busia counties up to January 2026, is particularly critical for our flood-prone areas, and its continuation is a testament to the commitment demonstrated by our County leadership and the Department of Health” The Governor said.
Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr.Mathews Owili and the County’Chief Officer for Health Dr.Ojwang’ Lusi were present among others.
The County Government of Kisumu has also waived assessment fees for persons with disabilities (PWDs). Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o noted that the county has 46,012 registered PWDs out of a population of 1.2 million, including 20,032 men and 25,980 women.
