It is now official that Kisumu City will go down in history as the first intermediary city in Africa and the World to host the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa Africities Summit come November 2021. The summit will run from 16th to 20th November, 2021.
This comes after the National Government, the County Government of Kisumu and the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding this morning giving Kisumu official hosting rights as well as allowing it to begin preparation towards the countdown.
Kisumu is set for many firsts as this will also mark the first time the summit will be held outside a capital city. This therefore presents a great milestone in the growth and maturity of Kisumu as a County and as a City.
Speaking at the official launch ceremony, the Cabinet Secretary for Devolution and ASAL Eugene Wamalwa said that with the signing of the MOU a lot is expected from Kisumu for the summit to succeed. He assured the UCLGA Secretary General Jean Pierre Mbassi of the National Government’s total support saying that they will immediately convene the national steering committee to allow each related Ministries take different roles towards the preparation.
So far, the Ministry of Tourism has committed Kshs 300 million to put a Convention Centre at the Sunsent grounds. More facilities are expected to cater for the over 8000 delegates expected at the conference. Other infrastructural developments under different Ministries are also in the pipeline key among them being, the Lake Front development agenda by the Ministry of Transport, Tourism and Mining and Petroleum. These will include modernization of the Kisumu International Airport, the Kisumu Dry Port and the development of the Special Economic Zone that will play a big role in terms of industrial development.
The Secretary General Jean Pierre was impressed by the enthusiasm displayed by Kisumu said, Kisumu should do its best to convince the team in selecting it as the host city.
“Kisumu should show we were not wrong to have chosen it. Do what it takes to become the role model”.
He further stressed that they want Kisumu branded far more than Kenya as it will bring the lessons to the world on how to elevate the intermediary cities adding that the Sub-nationals have been neglected by most national policies.
Mr. Mbassi also appealed to CS Wamalwa to ask President Kenyatta to convince his colleagues in the African Union to support the UCLGA agenda in their forums.
Kisumu Governor Prof. Nyong’o on his part said in addition to the National Steering Committee led by CS Wamalwa, the county has established the County Organizing Committee and its secretariat and a joint technical committee between the County, Ministry of Devolution and the Council of Governor’s. He called upon the private sector and the Lake Region Economic Bloc counties to get ready and respond to the needs of the delegates by offering world class services such as registration, accommodation, conference facilities and exhibition adding that there is a lot more to gain.
The County Government also presented the Secretary General of UCLGA with a cheque of Kshs. 50,000,000 as a show of commitment in hosting the event. The National Government will also be putting in a huge financial commitment towards the summit.
By: Nancy Juma
Kisumu Governor, Professor Nyong’o, Secretary General , UCLGA Mbassi and CS Devolution and ASAL, Eugine Wamalwa were warmly received as they arrive at Ciala Resort in Kisumu
MOU on Africities hosting rights by Kisumu County signed
CS Devolution and ASAL, Hon. Eugine Wamalwa giving a speech during the launch of preparations for Africities Summit 2021 at Ciala Resort in Kisumu
Kisumu Governor, Professor Nyong’o giving a speech during the official launch of Africities Summit 2021 at Ciala Resort in Kisumu
The journey towards hosting Kisumu Africities Summit 2021 is set to be marked today by the official signing of the hosting rights MOU with the National government, the County government and UCLGA at Ciala Resort in Kisumu.
The event will be attended by the members of the National Steering Committee comprising CSs for Transport Hon. James Macharia, Finance Hon. Henry Rotich, Tourism Hon. Najib Balala, Foreign Affairs Hon. Monica Juma, Devolution (The committee Chair) Hon. Eugine Wamalwa, Interior and Coordination Hon. Fred Matiangi as well as the COG Chairman Wycliffe Oparanya .among other dignitaries.
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Kisumu Deputy Governor, Dr. Mathew Owili joined the Catholic Archbishop, His Grace Philip Anyolo in flagging off the 6th edition of the Mater Heart Run held at the Jomo Kenyatta Sports Ground.
The charity event held annually in the Month of May, attracted hundreds of participants as revelers flocked Kisumu Sports ground to support the drive organised by Mater Hospital.
The exercise that kicked off at 7 am took place simultaneously in cities including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu and Machakos with an aim to continually raise money for purpose of funding financially disadvantaged children in desperate need of cardiac surgeries.
In his address, the Deputy Governor assured the Mater hospital of the County government’s support in advocating for healthy, lifestyles, sentiments echoed earlier by their Governing Council, Dr . Peter Igogo.
Dennis Oluoch from Kisumu took the honors after winning the 10 km Heart race.
County Directors Kenneth Otieno & Aloice Ager were among the participants present alongside other officials from the Mater Hospital.
A similar race took place in Nairobi being presided over by legendary Marathoner Kipchoge Keino.
By: Collins Owuor and Mikwa Emily
Kisumu Deputy Governor, Dr Mathew Owili and the Arch Bishop, His Grace Bishop Anyolo flagging off the 6th edition of the Mater Heart Run held at the Jomo Kenyatta Sports ground.
Hundreds of Kisumu residents turned out to mark the Mater Heart led by Dr. Mathew Owili and His Grace, Arch Bishop, Philip Anyolo at the Kisumu Sports ground
The World Bank Development Mission in Kisumu County
The World Bank is set to carry out a comprehensive study in Kisumu to
understand the impact of devolution on service delivery.
Earlier this week, County officials led by the Deputy Governor Dr Mathew
Owili and the County Secretary Dr. Olang’o Onudi hosted a delegation from
the Bank to discuss how best the study can be conducted.
Dr. Owili assured the team of good coordination and cooperation from the
County government to ensure a good report is documented.
The World Bank team noted that the study will focus on five thematic areas
namely; health, agriculture, water environment &urban planning.
“We intend to listen to the people of Kisumu so that we are able to
understand how devolution works, it’s challenges. The door is wide open
for suggestions on how we can impact service delivery through
devolution” Said Murathia Kinuthia from the World Bank team.
The delegation was on a two-day mission to engage county stakeholders in
activities central to service delivery. The team scheduled to meet technical
officers from the county government, the city board not excluding the
County Assembly leadership.
The mission will also visit service delivery outlets such as healthfacilities,
ECD Centres and water provision outlets.
Other Counties involved in the study are Nairobi, Making, Nyandarua and
Garissa.
The County Ministers present during the visit included Dixon Obungu,
(Lands) Dr. John Ogone (Education), development partners among other county officials.
Deputy Governor, Dr Mathew Owili chairing the meeting between
County government and the World bank in the County office.
The third edition of the National Universal Health Coverage (UHC) conference kicked off yesterday in Kisumu as stakeholders in the health sector converged at the Grand Royal Swiss Hotel to gauge its implementation pace in the pilot Counties
UHC is one of the government’s priority areas, under the Big Four Agenda and its success is crucial in achieving Vision 2030.
In his address Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili called for a multi sectorial approach to strengthen referral systems in the country, sentiments echoed earlier by Ag. CEC Health Nerry Achar.
The three day conference comes to close on Friday as the County gears up to champion its cause as a key player in the UHC rollout.
Kisumu is one of the four Counties selected to pilot the Health program others are Isiolo, Machakos and Nyeri.
Also present were Nyeri Deputy Governor Dr. Caroline Karugu, Senior Goverment Officials from the Health Ministry, Development partners USAID, WHO, WORLD BANK, Roads & Transport CEC Thomas Ondijo, Markets & Cooperatives CEC Richard Ogendo, County Secretary Dr. Olang’o Onudi, Nominated Senator Rose Nyamunga among other representatives from the Private and Public sector.
By Collins Owuor and Matilda Atieno
Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr Mathew (centre) and his Nyeri counterpart Ms Caroline Karugu ( right) are welcomed to the 3rd Kenya National UHC Conference at the Grand Royal Swiss hotel in Kisumu by Dr Khama Rogo (laft) from the World Bank. ( Photo by Jacob Owiti)
ONE BILLION RADIOTHERAPY CENTER TO BENEFIT KISUMU RESIDENTS
Cancer patients in Kisumu and other neighbouring Counties will soon be able to
access radiotherapy services at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and
Referral Hospital following the launch of construction for Kisumu Radiotherapy
Centre by Kisumu Governor, Professor Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o.
For a long time, cancer patients within the western circuit have had to travel long
distances to access radiotherapy sessions at the Kenyatta National Hospital, the
only public hospital offering radiotherapy management.
Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony held at the hospital grounds, Governor
Nyong’o who was accompanied by his deputy Dr. Mathew Owili said that Phase One
of the project valued at Ksh350M shall commence immediately and is expected to
be complete in a record two years or less.
“Our main goal is to establish a one billion centre project by end of 5 years”. He
said.
Once complete, the hospital will be able to offer comprehensive oncology services
such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy and palliative care to the cancer patients
across the region, adding that the County will embark on comprehensive outreach
programmes to inform the people on the benefits of early screening, diagnosis and
risks reduction.
Currently, in Kenya alone, an estimated 40,000 new cancer cases and 28,000
cancer deaths occur each year making it the third leading cause of mortality and
accounting for 7per cent of all annual deaths.
The day also saw the Governor unveil the Sickle Cell Anaemia Clinic to help address
its high prevalence among new-borns.
The Ag. Minister for Health and Sanitation Nerry Achar on his part said that the
County will formulate a policy to ensure all Sickle Cell survivors are covered under
the new universal health cover.
Also present at the ceremony were County Ministers Achie Alai and Salmon
Orimba, the Hospital Board of Management, Members of the County Assembly,
Partners Representatives: Ruth Muya- National Cancer Institute, Dr. Ogada and Dr.
Ogendo from Uzima and Maseno Universities, and other County Officials.
Governor Nyong’o launching the Kisumu Radiotherapy centre at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and referral Hostpital
Kisumu Weekly E newsletter 10th May 2019
Kisumu County is currently working on a partnership with the Planning department of Maseno University to plan on the recently gazetted towns. This is in line with the Urban Areas and Cities Act that will see the four satellite urban centers i.e. Kombewa, Maseno, Katito and Sondu converted into towns.
This collaboration will be cost effective to the County since it’s a government to government arrangement. The planning exercise is important for purposes of service delivery in those areas such as water, sanitation, infrastructure planning and access to the Kenya Urban Support Program funds.
It’s in the light of this that Kisumu Governor, Professor Anyang’ Nyong’o and the Vice Chancellor of Maseno University, Professor Julius Nyabundi signed an M.O.U to fast track the process.
The planning of the border towns will put to rest the perpetual political upheavals in those areas focus being put on service delivery.
The Vice Chancellor, was accompanied by the University DVC’s; Prof. Catherine Muhoma and Professor Chacha alongside Dr. Kola the department’s Dean.
The initiative was introduced by the County department of Lands under the leadership of CEC, Dickson Obungu and the Ag.Chief Officer, Arch. Steve Gome
Kisumu Governor, Professor Nyong’o and Maseno Vice Chancellor, Professor Nyabundi signing an M.O.U. in the presence of County Minister for Lands, Housing and urban Development, Hon. Dickson Obungu
Kisumu Deputy Governor, Dr. Ochieng Owili, joined Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, H.E Mr. Frans Makken for a luncheon meeting at the Capital Club East Africa in Nairobi for a discussion on the Kenya Pooled Water Fund joint initiative.
The discussions focused on ways of opening new funding window for Water Service Providers. Kisumu County government is seeking partnerships for funding to expand water supply within the County.
The meeting was attended by among others Governor Ole Tunai of Narok County, Eddy Njoroge the chairman of KPWF, Embu and Nyeri County Government representatives and USAID officials.
Kisumu Deputy Governor, Dr Mathew Owili during a meeting on at the Capital Club East Africa in Nairobi