The world’s first malaria vaccine has been initiated in 5 sub-counties in Kisumu including Kisumu East, Kisumu West, Kisumu Central Muhoroni and Seme sub-counties.
Kenya added the malaria vaccine to its routine immunization schedule for babies, becoming the third African country to roll out the vaccine following the malaria disease burden that threatens children across the country targeting about 120 000 children per year and 360000 children across the continent.
Kisumu is one of the 8 selected introduction Counties in Kenya, others are Homa Bay, Migori, Siaya, Busia, Bungoma, Vihiga and Kakamega counties. Within the eight counties, some sub-counties have introduced the vaccine into immunization schedules while others are set to introduce the vaccine later.
The county health department announced that the 3-year malaria vaccine implementation program that targets children aged between 6 months to 2 years, kicked off on the 17th September 2019 in all public health facilities within the 5 Sub Counties, living out 2 Sub Counties, Nyando and Nyakach.
Speaking during the county stakeholder’s engagement forum for malaria vaccine (MVIP) and HPV Vaccine implementation program on Thursday this week, Mr. Chris Odero Researcher on MVIP PATH Kenya clarified that the 2 Sub Counties were randomly left out after conducting a computer-based random selection. However, the selected Sub counties for implementation will inform action towards implementation of the malaria Vaccine in the remaining Sub Counties.
Other criteria used was the malaria disease burden, immunization coverage as well as functionality of the malaria interventions.
The county malaria coordinator, Lilyana Dayo emphasized that the vaccine will be administered to children through routine immunization and that the vaccine will be provided alongside other vaccines. Lilyana Dayo reaffirmed that the vaccine is safe adding that it offers an additional form of protection against malaria when used with other interventions.
The vaccine is provided in 4 dosage routine with the first dose administered at 6 months, the second dose at 7 months, the third dose at 9 months and the last dose at 24 months. However, children who have exceeded 6months but below one year can be administered with the first dose following the dosing schedule.
The MVIP takes advantage of other immunization programs as a patient will be offered with a sticker to record scheduled dosage.
According to Jeremiah Ongwara of County health promotion, the department have put in place rigorous messages and media information campaign to ensure that the public is sensitized on the new vaccine. Mr. Ongwara dismissed negative assertions that are meant to deter the implementation of the vaccine.
The forum also presented the mass roll-out of girls aged 10 to 13 years against cervical cancer-causing Human Papilloma Virus through the HPV Vaccine set for October this year. Stakeholders present were urged to share the information with residents on the benefits and importance of the vaccines.
By Matilda Atieno
County stakeholder’s engagement on Malaria Vaccine and HPV Vaccine Implementation program
The Kisumu governor professor Anyang’ Nyong’o on Tuesday signed the 2019/2020 Budget Appropriation Bill of Kisumu county.
While addressing the press, the governor mentioned on the issues covered by the bill which included health service delivery by continued upgrading of the teaching and referral hospital as well as opening up maternity and theater service unit in health facilities. This comes in as the nurse’s strike is ongoing and the governor urged the nurses to resume work as they await their wedges to be allocated.
He added that the bill will ensures that village council are operational this financial year, taking care of community development activities in environmental conservation, road maintenance, community health services and management of water resources.
The budget will ensure improved food production within the county by ensuring additional funding for agricultural mechanization and extension services.
The governor said that the budget has increased the amount allocated for bursaries for the students by 100% (double the previous amount).
“The budget provides funding for improvement of existing physical infrastructure in the county assembly and at the same time starting with the construction of new assembly block and the speaker’s house,” said the governor.
The bill will ensure implementation of the County Roads Maintenance with provisions for acquisition of equipment and payment of wages already made in the budget. It will also ensure that young people and other community members are involved in the road maintenance work and gets well compensated.
The budget will also provide funding for improvement of the existing physical infrastructure in the county assembly block and speakers house.
The governor sympathized with members of the county assembly saying that MCAs deserve to work in a decent and facilitative spaces in order to effectively discharge their mandate adding that it is their responsibility to adhere to the plans in the budget which are geared to ensure a blossom in the job opportunities within the county.
The bill was presented to the governor for signing by the Ag. Speaker of the county assembly, Hon. Elisha Oraro in the Presence of County Minister For Finance Nerry Achar and other County officials
By Wendy Chloe
Governor Nyong’o receiving the Kisumu County Budget Appropriation Bill Presented by Ag. Speaker of the County Assembly Ho. Elisha Oraro
Kisumu has envisioned a County in which all individuals and persons living with disability (PWD) in the communities have the opportunity to reach their highest potential in all sectors.
Recognizing that gender is a variable in support of human development, County government of Kisumu strive to localize measures being taken to improve gender relations by promoting men’s understanding of their familial and social roles in family planning and sexual and reproductive health issues.
The gender analysis dialogue held at Ahero in Nyando Sub County, brought together key stakeholders including, state and county gender officers, Sub County health workers, education officers, teachers and the business community to deliberate on family planning as a component of Reproductive and Maternal Newborns Care and Adolescent Health (RAMNCAH) with development of male engagement focusing on disability as one of key recommendations and action points to clearly help define strategies of reaching male clients and partners for reproductive health-related services through multi-sectoral collaboration.
The meeting organized by Afya Halisi, a USAID program in collaboration with County directorate of gender and health department provided an opportunity for brainstorming on male involvement in health matters.
Traditionally, health care providers and researchers in the field of reproductive health have focused almost exclusively on women when planning programs and services. However, efforts have been made to broaden men’s responsibility for their reproductive health as well as male involvement in reproductive health for female partners living with disability.
According to director gender Adah Omedi, the enactment of Kisumu County Persons with Disability Act (2016), which recognizes health, norms, economic empowerment, roles and relations as key determinants of the well-being of PWDs across sectors, provides for the rights and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities. Mrs. Omedi stressed that Disability is a gender issue and that Kisumu county is recognized as the first county to ratify the Disability Act of 2016.
“Due to the higher vulnerability to health concerns, PWDs have the same health needs as every other member of the population, including immunization, screening, sexual and reproductive health, and all other aspects of regular healthcare.” Said Mrs. Omedi.
Health is a disability rights issue, which is why Article 25 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities sets out the normative framework which should govern disabled people’s access to healthcare. More importantly, is sexual and reproductive health (SRH) which is an essential component of health and a pillar for sustainable development. However, there is good evidence that the SRH needs of people living with disabilities have been neglected for decades because of the widespread view that they are not sexually active.
While it goes without saying that people with disability have equal rights to sexual and reproductive desires and hopes as non-disabled people, society has disregarded their sexuality and reproductive concerns, aspirations and human rights.
The 2 day training recommended special efforts that will emphasize men’s shared responsibility and promote their active involvement in responsible parenthood, sexual and reproductive behavior including family planning; prenatal, maternal child health; prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV; prevention of unwanted and high-risk pregnancies; shared control and contribution to family income, children’s education, health and nutrition; recognition and promotion of the equal value of children of both sexes.
Discussion of health needs of PWD should take into account improved technologies, health and social care that are increasingly available to people with different impairments.
The team also suggested that male responsibilities in family life must be included in the education of children from the earliest ages adding that Special emphasis should be placed on the prevention of violence against women and children.
The above challenge calls for more intense efforts to foster partnerships between men and women which help men identify with the magnitude and range of reproductive illnesses which affect women.
By Matilda Atieno
County Director Gender, Youth Affairs and Persons Living with Disability, addressing the workshop on family planning as a component of RAMNCAH with development of male engagement focusing on disability at Ahero Multipurpose
The County directorate of gender in collaboration with Equality Now and other partners held a capacity building training of Members of County assembly and County Executive Committee on legislative drafting and policy formulation processes in gender mainstreaming.
The 2 days’ workshop brought together MCAs and CECs drawn from three counties including Busia, Makueni and Kisumu, with shared experiences on the gender equality and sexual gender-based violence (SGBV) progress.
The objectives of the training include, to enhance understanding of legislative drafting principles among the MCAs and CECs, enhance the mastery of knowledge on policy formulation processes, providing a platform to deliberate on the challenges encountered in executing their mandate and introduce the model policy on SGBV to the MCAs and CECs.
Speaking during the official opening of the workshop, County Minister for Education ICT and Human Capacity development, Dr. Obiero Ogone, reiterated that county government remains steadfast in its support and commitment towards promoting programs for gender equality in Kisumu County.
“SGBV is a global human rights problem that is connected to gender inequalities and power imbalances, as a county government of Kisumu we have a responsibility to tackle cases of SGBV and believe that the SGBV Policy is critical,” said Dr. Ogeno,
The county minister challenged stakeholders to take up responsibility to tackle cases of SGBV adding that the gender mainstreaming policy and SGBV policy is critical.
The County Director of Gender, Adah Amedi highlighted the main programs of the directorate including women economic empowerment, fostering of women in leadership and participation in decision making, establishment of safe to protect the survivors of SGBV and the formation of Sub-County integrated technical working groups.
“We have a County GBV Technical Working Group made up of both state and non-state actors whose main mandate is prevention and response to sexual and gender-based violence in the county through activities such as linkages, referrals and follow up of cases.” Said Ms. Amedi.
The directorate is also working towards formulation of the SGBV policy and a gender mainstreaming policy which are both on the pipeline.
Also present were members of the Kisumu County assembly gender committee chaired by Hon. Rashid Miruka of Nyakach, CEC members of gender Busia and Makueni.
County Minister Dr. Obiero Ogone addressing stakeholders during the official opening of the capacity building training of Members of County assembly and County Executive Committee on legislative drafting and policy formulation processes in gender mainstreaming.
The government has announced plans to join the county in eliminating substandard products in the market.
Speaking in Kisumu during the 3rd National Conference for managers of management systems, the Kenya Bureau of Standards Director, Esther Ngari was confident of the partnership yielding fruit as the agency clamped down on substandard products across the region.
In a speech read on his behalf by Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili, Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o lauded the agency for choosing Kisumu as the regional standardization capital.
The developments he said were in line with the exponential economic and industrial growth gathering steam in the county.
Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili addressing the 3rd Kenya Bureau of Standards Management Representatives Conference in Kisumu
Inmates at the Kodiaga maximum prison graduated yesterday in a ceremony presided over by Dr Kim Kisung from Korea in the company of Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili.
Speaking at the graduation Dr. Owili urged the community to embrace inmate and ex-convicts
as they too can change regardless of their situations.
“Criminal justice reform is not just about being fair to the individuals who will be most affected but it’s also about doing what’s right for our nation’s well-being. The reforms must therefore be cognizant of the overall impact this process has on our societies.” Dr. Owili added.
The inmates were awarded certificates of completion towards their training on mind education facilitated by International Youth Fellowship in collaboration with Kodiaga maximum prison.
Deputy Governor, Dr. Mathew Owili celebrating with the inmate graduands and prison officer on their graduation day at Kodiaga Maximum prison
Dr Kim Kisung from Korea addressing inmates during the graduation ceremony held for Kodiaga inmates
Wednesday, 21st August 2019 KCA University Wester Campus launched the MSC Commerce Program, in the presence of County Minister Dr. Obiero Ogone who represented Kisumu County Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o in the celebrations.
In his speech Governor Nyong’o applauded the University stating that it is a step in the right direction.
“commerce is a great driver of our economy and there is no better way to achieve this if not by instilling the right knowledge and skills in our students by offering them the relevant courses that adequately prepare them for the fast advancing technological and competitive economic environment.” Said the Governor.
According to the Governor, Kisumu County being the gateway to the Lake and Eastern African region opens up a huge market for goods and services and thus offers limitless opportunities for entrepreneurs and industrialists. Thus, the need to developed a workforce armed with the right knowledge and skills to offer the requisite human resource that the industry desperately needs.
The new Program launch took place the Aga-khan hall in Kisumu and was also graced by Deputy Governor Vihiga, H.E Dr Patrick Saisi, and Kisumu Central MP Fred Ouda.
The new Masters degree programme will allow graduate students in the region enrolled at KCA University to obtain an MSC degree from the University.
KCA University Western Campus VC Prof Noah Midamba (left), Deputy Governor Vihiga, H.E Dr Patrick Saisi,Kisumu County Education CEC Member Dr John Obiero Ogone and Kisumu Central MP Fred Ouda cut a cake during the launch of Masters Degree Programmes of MSC Commerce, MBA in Corporate Management and MBA -HR, Procurement and Marketting at the Aga-Khan Hall in Kisumu.
“You the media, are powerful. You reach millions of people, you have the tools to challenge rigid gender roles and empower both men and women”, remarked Atieno Otieno the County Director of Communications when she joined DW Akademie and two of Kisumu’s esteemed radio stations for the launch of their gender policies.
Sky FM and Radio Lake Victoria on Wednesday made history when they launched their Gender Policies at a ceremony attended by radio journalists from Kisumu, Bungoma, Webuye and Nakuru. The policies are a set of guidelines for the stations to guarantee equal rights and opportunities for all ; tools to advance gender parity in radio programming.
The launch was organized by DW Akademie who are the supporting partners in media development in Kenya.
In attendance, the County Director of Gender and Youth Affairs Ms Adah Omedi said that Gender policy is developed out of the recognition that there still are disparities among men and women in various spheres of life. She announced that the County Government was at an advanced stage in the development of a Sexual Gender Based Violence policy and a Gender mainstreaming policy.
In her remarks, Sigrid Thomsen, DW Akademie’s project lead applauded the two radio stations for fostering an Integrated Policy Agenda which is a big step towards bridging the gender gap.
Also present was the Managing Director of Sky FM, Mr. Daniel Kirathe, Mr. Arthur Okwemba a media consultant for DW Akademie, Association of Media Women in Kenya representative Josephine Wareta, station managers, among other stakeholders.
The policy is in line with the Kenya National Policy on Gender and Development (NPGD), which clearly states that it is the right of women, men, girls and boys to participate in and benefit equally from the development process including appropriate affirmative action at all levels.
“Getting women in front of the camera or the microphone is only half the battle; we also need fundamentally to change the way we interact and the language that we use,” concluded Atieno.
Representative of Sky FM and Radio Lake Victoria together with Deutsche Welle Akademie representative Sigrid Thomsen (Centre) Displays the newly launched Gender Policy in an event held at Mills View Hotel in Kisumu
