Kisumu County nurses have agreed to suspend their strike following a discussion held between the County Department of Health, County Secretary Dr. Olang’o Onudi and the National Union of Nurses Kisumu Branch.
The nurses through their Secretary General Anne Owiti have agreed to return to work bringing an end to the three weeks strike that paralysed the county health sector. The Secretary-General directed all County nurses to resume work at their duty stations by 5:00 pm, Friday the 22nd of February, urging that those not in a position to report back are required to inform their nurses in charge to avoid victimization.
The union agreed to suspend the strike for a period of 60 days giving time to the national reconciliation process set up by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection to address the key issues.
On his part, the county secretary assured nurses that the county is committed to paying the enhanced uniform and nursing allowances once approval from the salaries and remuneration commission is obtained.
The county department of health has also promised to release salaries for all nurses for the month of February 2019, as the County Minister for Health, Dr. Rosemary Obara pledged county’s commitment to dialogue with the union in Kisumu on all issues affecting the nurses.
This comes a day after Governor Nyong’o’s official statement to the media reaffirming county government support towards conciliation process initiated by the ministry of labour and social protection, the court order and the codes and regulations guiding public service. In his statement, the Governor urged striking nurses to return to work adding that security has been beefed-up for those who are ready.
By Matilda Atieno
County Minister for health, Dr. Rosemary Obara ( Extreme Right), County Secretary, Dr. Olang’o Onudi ( Second right) and the Secretary General of the Union of Nurses Kisumu County Branch, Anne Owiti ( left) and other Union leaders after consultative meeting that led to commitment to end the three weeks’ nurses strike ( Picture by GPU)
Kisumu Governor, Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o this week commissioned two surgical theatres in Kombewa and Muhoroni Sub County Hospitals in an effort to improve health care services and to achieve universal health care.
The two theatres which recorded the first cesarean section, surgical operations that was witnessed by Governor Nyong’o are additional to the three at JOOTRH, KCRH and AHERO which are fully equipped for surgical operations.
In an official statement to the media, the Governor indicated plans to bring to completion and functionality of hospitals and health facilities including Pap Onditi, Chulaimbo and Gita Sub County hospital in order to meet the objectives of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The governor also stated that the new surgical theatres are set to be equipped with dental surgical chairs donated by World Health Relief of Michigan, USA. This he said, would bring quality and accessible health care to the residents, adding that in the coming financial year, the County will complete the establishment of an effective referral system from level one of care to level six hospital.
“Under the implementation of UHC, the County has three main focus areas which include improving access to affordable quality health care for everyone without discrimination and protection from financial catastrophe as a result of ill health.” Said the governor.
In keeping with this effort, Governor Nyong’o on behalf of Kisumu County appreciated the National Government and private partners (Pharm Access foundation, the World bank, UNICEF, GIZ, KMET, USAID) for supporting the UHC pilot in the County where over 800 million is expected to facilitate filling the gaps identified during the assessment before the launch of UHC.
By Matilda Atieno
The newly commissioned operating theatre at Muhoroni Sub County health facility ( Picture by GPU)
In the spirit of promoting film industry in the County, Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o accompanied by Mama Kisumu Dorothy Nyong’o this week officiated a three-day African Film Workshop that brought together key film makers drawn from Uganda, Kisumu and Kenya at large.
This follows the Governor’s visit to Uganda late last year where he graced the Kabale Film Festival an idea he sought to replicate in Kisumu for promoting County film industry.
County Minister for Tourism, Arts,Sports and Culture, Achie Alai noted that the department is keen on nurturing raw talents evident by the upcoming I Am Kisumu Talent Search to be conducted in all sub counties.
The workshop addresses key areas including short film development, movie production, e – marketing and production management.
Officiating the African Film Workshop at the Mill view Hotel In Kisumu ( Picture by GPU)
Kombewa Hospital recorded the first caesarean section performed in the new operating theatre that was is officially opened by Kisumu Governor, Prof Anyang Nyong’o this week.
The theatre includes new equipment and improved work flows for transferring patients in and out of theatre.
Governor Nyong’o together with other County Leadership was on hand to cut the ribbon, saying the new theatre ensures the community has access to modernised maternity services.
The Governor also acknowledged the local residents who advocated for the hospital theatre to improving health services in the area. County government worked closely with private partner’s to build and equip the theatre in the spirit of achieving Universal Health Care.
By Matilda Atieno
Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o officially opened the new operating theatre at Kombewa Sub County hospital. (Photo By GPU)
Tourism CS Najib Balala on Monday affirmed government‘s support in ensuring that the lake front is developed, packaged and marketed in order to boost tourism within the western Kenya circuit.
The CS emphasized the need for multi sectoral approach in fast tracking the removal of hyacinth and reviving business on the lake since it is the point of focus in boosting tourism activities in the western region.
While addressing the regional Stakeholders forum, the CS reiterated that the County has a number of tourist attraction sites such as Kit Mikayi and the national museum that if well developed, will open the region for business opportunities. He also urged Counties to collaborate using the regional economic bloc to develop and package tourism products for the market ahead of 2021 Africities conference.
The Prime Minister, Raila Odinga who accompanied the CS Tourism and CS Environment on a tour along the Kisumu pier, expressed optimism that the hyacinth menace and dredging of the lake should be a matter of urgency in order to revive the maritime transport hence boost business with the neighbouring countries.
He urged researchers to carry out studies on the hyacinth weed and advise on better methods of dealing with its menace.
The CS Environment, Keriako Tobiko said his ministry will do what it takes to eliminate the hyacinth, he also cautioned the residents against polluting the lake with effluent from factories and car wash business.
Also present were: Kisumu Governor Professor Nyong’o the host, area MP for Seme Hon. James Nyikal, Tourism PS Joe Okudo, KTB CEO Dr Betty Radier, MD Tourism Finance corporation Jonah Orumoi, CEO Tourism Fund Mr. Joseph Cherutoi, Kisumu West MP Hon. Olago Aluoch, Rarieda MP Hon. Otiende Amollo, Kisumu Central MP, Hon. Fred Ouda , Kisumu County Ministers , among other dignitaries.
By Emily Mikwa
Kisumu Governor, Prof. Nyong’o (left) alongside County Minister for Tourism, Achie Alai( Right) played host to Cabinet Secretary for Tourism Najib Balala ( Centre). ( Photo By Jacob Owiti)
Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili has called for an aggressive public participation approach to give communities proper representation in decision-making processes.
The county government he said had already laid down avenues for public engagement and residents could be more decisive if they prioritized such forums.
He was speaking in Nyakach during an official inspection tour of Sigoti Health centre, one of the oldest health facilities in the area.
The county health directorate has already made provisions for the facility to be upgraded from a district facility to a sub county hospital. The center will also receive an ambulance to boost operations ahead of a major facelift operation.
Flanking the Deputy Governor was County Minister for Agriculture Gilchrist Okuom who urged the locals to infuse modern technologies in agriculture to increase food production.
The department has already made plans to provide certified seeds and fertilizers to farmers at subsidized costs. Last year alone saw the county government issue out more than 180 dairy cattle to farmers in the region.
Already a 10,000-litre capacity milk cooling plant has been set up in Muhoroni to sustain the dairy project.
Also present were County Chief of Staff Dr. Omondi Ouno, Ag. Chief Officer Health Stephen Sewe, Sub County Admin, Vincent Orayo, Area MCA Johnson Guya, Ward Admin Kevin Owade among other officials from the county government and the local community.
By Collins Owuor
Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili interacts with one of the hospital’s staff (Photo by GPU)
Kisumu isn’t done with captivating events for the year 2019. The department of Tourism and Culture has issued public invite for the upcoming “I Am Kisumu Talent Search” that will be rolled out in all the 7 Sub Counties.
The talent search is an Inter-Ward event where it’s widely expected to provide a bigger platform for the new talents and potential talents in the line-up.
The event’s tag line, “I Am Kisumu Talent Search, “calls for registration of participants at the ward level, in the ward administrators office. The talent search team is set to tour the Sub Counties with the first being Nyando on the 23rd February, 2019 starting 8.00 am to 5.00 pm at Ahero Resources centre.
The talent search is open to children and youth below the ages of 35 years, in the categories including, contemporary music, Dance, Drama Elocution Visual Arts creative writing and freestyle talents.
There will be a lot to appreciate if you’re trying to find pleasure of what is to come.
Kisumu city could soon benefit from a multi-sectoral urbanization project in readiness for the inaugural 2021 Afro cities summit it will host.
The county government and the city directorate through development partners have already embarked on massive infrastructural strategies in large scale attempts to develop the county.
Speaking at Sovereign hotel during the presentation of the local physical development plan for the county, Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr Mathew Owili lauded the progress as he pledged to engage investors in transforming the city’s’ fortunes.
In the plan, five zones within the county have been earmarked for rapid infrastructural projects with the city directorate set to play a key role in implementing them.
The 12-month project is set for completion this year with urban planners drawn from Groupe Huite, Planning Systems Services and Branded Solutions Services Limited all on board with the development plans.
Flanked by City Manager Doris Ombara the two agreed that work was still needed to transform Kisumu into a world class.
By Collins Owuor
Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr Mathew Owili flanked by City Manager Doris Ombara receives the inception report plan for developing five zones within the county. ( Picture by GPU)
Plans are under way to establish agricultural land for production in Kisumu County.
The County government through the department of Agriculture has planned to establish 10,000ha of productive land for agriculture in the county.
A special committee on Agriculture headed by Prof. Raphael Kapiyo of Maseno University and County Director of Agriculture, Mr. Sospeter Oketch, Kisumu East Sub County Agricultural Officer, Lake Basin Development Authority, Great Lakes University and NEMA Representatives paid a visit to the West, East and Central Kolwa wards with the aim of assessing and identifying potential agriculturally productive lands.
The Mboha and Nyamthoe Agricultural Development and Technical Committee was on the ground earlier this week to explore the productivity of lands around Mboha and Nyamthoe and to come up with plans to involve local farmers in commercial agriculture production estimated to feed the Nyanza Region as a whole.
While addressing the committee, the Chairperson of the East, West and Central Kolwa land owners, Mr. Noah Ong’udi expressed member’s commitment to support the project in achieving sustainable food production with the hope that the flooding menace that affects the area will be dealt with once and for all.
The department of Agriculture, has promised to work hand in hand with local farmers over the next farming seasons to achieve economic empowerment through employment of youths in farms while boosting food production for the people of Kisumu.
By Russel Vick
Edited by Matilda Atieno
The Mboha and Nyamthoe Agricultural Development and Technical Committee on fact finding mission ( Picture by Jacob Owiti
The County government is fully committed to the implementation of the 2017 CBA, that calls for increase in allowances allocated to nurses that has not been implemented following the agreement in the most recent strike.
According to County Minister for health and sanitation, Dr. Rosemary Obara, there has been numerous discussions with the union leaders adding that that the nurses’ allowances had been factored in budgetary allocations.
While addressing the nurses at the county headquarters, Dr. Obara stated that the administration is waiting for an advisory through the Council of Governors upon which all payments will be made. She promised the nurses that their arrears will be sorted and paid by the end of February 2019.
The County Minister further called upon the contracted nurses to show dedication in their lines of duty to warrant their permanent engagement by the county government.
She appealed to the union leaders to calm their members for everything was under way waiting for a return to work formula that will be good to both nurses and the county government.
By Kevin Ouko
Edited By Matilda Atieno
County Minister for Health and Sanitation, Dr. Rosemary Obara addressing striking nurses outside the County headquarters where she urged them to return to work as their grievances were being looked at with a view to finding lasting solutions (Picture By Jacob Owiti)