The County directorate of gender together with its stakeholders held the first public participation towards engaging Kisumu residents to have meaningful input into the Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV)draft policy framework.
The public participation held at YWCA in Kisumu central brought together stakeholders and partners in gender issues to deliberate on the Kisumu County draft SGBV policy framework and provide an opportunity for communication between county government, gender partners and the public.
This follows a series of discussions and workshops between partners in gender issues to deliberate on the draft. According to the gender directorates, state department headed by Mr. Joel Okumu and County government, led by Adah Omedi, the Kisumu County SGBV framework policy will give effect to the various principles that prohibit SGBV, promote the rights to freedom and security as well as empower women by transforming them from survivors of gender-based violence into key drivers of the county’s structural transformation.
The policy formulation process was spearheaded by the County directorate of gender, County state department of gender together with members of the civil society and private partners in gender issues.
By Matilda Atieno
Grace Akech of Gender Based Violence Recovery Center (GBVRC)- JOOTRH, giving input towards Kisumu county sexual gender-based violence draft policy framework during the public participation
To celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child, the county government in partnership with Plan International and Nyanza Initiative for Girls’ Education & Empowerment (NIGEE) organized celebrations at Kombewa in an event that brought together girls from Kisumu county.
This year’s Day of the Girl Child themed “GirlForce: Unscripted and unstoppable” marks the annual celebrations as commissioned by the United Nation. October 10th focuses attention on the need to addressed the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights.
The celebration was presided over by County Minister for Education ICT and Human capacity development Dr. John Obiero Ogone, who in his speech recognised education, training, entry into the work force, access to information, communication technology and resources set for the girl child.
The annual event comes in the wake of conversations around gender equity and policy formulation in Kisumu County.
By Matilda Atieno
Shortlisting of COs and Directors
Find attached the Shortlisted candidates for the Various positions of Chief Officers and Directors in various directorates.
Click on the Link below to access the document
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 County Department of Education, IT and Human Capacity Development in partnership with World Vision and Ecumenical Centre for Justice and Peace (ECJP) organized a stakeholders’ validation meeting for Kisumu County Youth Development plan 2019/23 at St. John’s Manor Hotel, Millimani.
This is one of the initiatives that gives framework to youth empowerment. The youth plan which was developed under the consultancy of Mr. Wilson Nindo will be a guide to service provision in collaboration with development partners.
On his part, the Ag County Director Youth Affairs, Mr. George Orude said they would form a County Technical Working Committee to oversee the implementation framework of the plan, policy and legislation gaps in order to fast track its adoption by the Assembly, coordination mechanism through which the youths can choose their leaders from County to grass root levels and conduct awareness of the existing plan to all youths across the County.
Mr. Timothy Kajwang’ who is in charge of national youth affairs Kisumu County branch, called on the youths to remain committed to the plan and heed to instructions given by their leaders for personal development.
The Nyakach North MCA, Hon Rashid Miruka who is also in charge of the Youth affairs in the County Assembly, said they had initiated a caucus that ensures Youth affairs are considered during budgetary allocations, this will ensure the youths get a substantive amount in relation to the number of youths per ward.
The CEC Member for Education, IT and Human Capacity Development, Dr John Obiero Ogone while officiating the validation meeting said, “In the spirit of the constitution, we are committed to cascading the structures of Youth governance all the way to the village level”.
He also promised to hold more civic education forums for the youths and encouraged them to actively participate in Public participation so that they have a clue of activities and programs taking place in the County.
The Stakeholders who attended comprised of County Chief Officers, County Directors, representatives from partners, youths across the County among other guests.
The Stakeholders who attended the Youth Development Plan validation meeting at the St. John’s Manor Hotel- Millimani
County directorate of Youth affairs in partnership with World Vision and Ecumenical Centre of justice and peace have organized a five day workshop in Nyakach Sub County to empower the youth on economic development.
The program focuses on sharpening the skills of the youths on resource management, online business promotion to help diversify on the available opportunities, banking institutions and devolved opportunities such as the Uwezo fund, revolving funds and networking in order to emulate best practices from successful youths.
The capacity building program is currently taking place in Siany resource center for Persons with disabilities, which is comprising of youths from Nyakach South East and South West, another venue is at Kolweny which has accommodated youths from Nyakach West and Central and a third venue at Pap Onditi which is taking care of youths from North Nyakach.
This move comes after drafting of the County Youth development Plan which is in the process of validation.
County Ag. Director Youth Affairs, Mr George Orude addressing the Youths from Nyakach sub county during their empowerment workshop at Kolweny
Youths from Siany, Nyakach sub county actively taking part in their training
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
County Department of Youth Affairs in collaboration with the State Department of Youth Affairs and the Civil Society organizations within Kisumu organised and celebrated this year’s Youth International day at Muhoroni Stadium in Muhoroni Sub County This week.
The event marked annually on the 12th of August, focused on the theme “Transforming education”, which highlights efforts to make education more inclusive and accessible for all youth, including efforts by youth themselves. Rooted in goal 4 of the Vision 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Muhoroni stadium was a beehive of activities as the youths from the County showcased their talents in various fields such as football tonourments among female and male teams, entertainment and dance groups, theatrics, civic education on youth empowerment, awareness on Youth and drugs, Youth and farming empowerment, medical services such as cancer screening, HIV testing among many other activities
The football tournament ended with Koru United thrashing Miwani FC at 3-2 goals while the girl’s team, Tonde from Muhoroni Sub County beating the Star Blues from Kisumu Central at 2- Nil.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Guest Mr. Dennis Omollo reiterated that education is the heart of sustainable development in any community. He urged the youths to stand out and define the type of education they need in order to improve their standards of living.
“Before the government transforms the education system, it must identify the existing gaps in the current system without which accessibility and inclusivity cannot be attained” said Mr Omollo.
On her part, the Muhoroni Sub county administrator, Nancy Wasamo, urged the youths to enroll at the Vocational training Centers across the County since the County Government supports education by providing 10Million per Year for Youth Education
The event was also attended by representatives the County Youth department Mr. George Orude, State department Youth Affairs Mr. Timothy Kajwang’, Muhoroni Ward admin Mr Victor Opil, Ombeyi Ward admin Mr Patrick Olweny, Red Cross team, Maristopes medical services, Beyond Zero clinic services, NACADA, Focus Youth Alive, Blue Cross among Many others.
Mr George Orude , County Youth Affairs Officer Inviting the Chief Guest Mr. Dennis Omollo to give a speech during the International Youth Day in Muhoroni Stadium.
The black dimensions showcasing thier performances at the International Youth Day in Muhoroni
The girls’ football match between Tonde from Muhoroni Sub countyand the Star Blues from Kisumu Central
Youth and drugs awareness creation during the International Youth Day
- 1
- 2