The county government has set aside sh65 million to assist disadvantaged bright students advance their studies.
A total of 350 pupils are set to benefit from the Governors scholarship program that will see 10 students per ward selected.
Speaking during the official commissioning ceremony of the Elimu scholarship program, Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili lauded the important role played by education in nation building.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Equity Bank and the World Bank,165 students were feted and awarded scholarships to join form one after posting exemplary results in last year’s examinations.
According to the Deputy Governor ,the county government was ready to join the national government and development partners to enhance education levels in the county.
Through the department of education, the county government has doubled bursary allocations in the wards to sh4 million. This will supplement education needs of disadvantaged students.
Joining the Deputy Governor were Assistant County Commissioner Madam Joan Chebet, George Onyinno Equity Bank Nyanza & Western Region General Manager, Governors Political Advisor Abballa Wanga, officials from the Education Ministry among other representatives at the Kisumu Polytechnic.
By Collins Owuor
Elimu scholarship program beneficiaries join the Deputy Governor and other officials for a group photo
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
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.
The 2019 Kisumu ASK show has hosted major exhibitors from the County government, showcasing and demonstrating a number of products and services in Early childhood Education (ECDE), vocational training, gender and youth affairs.
Under the theme “Promoting innovation & technology in Agriculture and trade” the County Department of Education, ICT and Human capacity development is currently showcasing their programs and products in the annual Kisumu ASK show’ set to run through to the 28th of July at Mamboleo show ground.
The Ag. Chief officer Rosemary Otieno stated that the move is set to promote the departments programs and services to establish business relations and to market products by the County Vocational Training Schools. “The show is also a great way to network with other industry members and grow client base.”
The exhibition expects to generate opportunities for the vocational training programs, Gender and youth affairs to access the larger Kisumu consumer market.
By Matilda Atieno
Showcasing products made by the Vocational Training students at the Annual Kisumu ASK show
Showcasing products made by women and youth groups at the Annual Kisumu ASK show
County government of Kisumu has expressed its commitment in promoting education through a book donation exercise to ECD schools in Kisumu East and Central Sub – Counties.
The purchase of 25,000 exercise books and 7000 text books was influenced by the newly formulated education system of Competency Based Curriculum education (CBC) and aimed at promoting the system, increasing student enrolment and reducing the burden for parents in purchasing the new books, as the donation opt to support 8000 pupils across all ECDE centres.
In his remarks, the Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili who was the chief guest highlighted the importance of the event as he encouraged the teachers to make more effort in pre primary learning education in order to build good educational foundation for the children in preparation for academic’s competition nationwide.
Dr. Owili applauded Governor Nyong’os efforts in promoting education and promised to offer material support to enhance the teachers’ successful delivery.
Speaking during the event, Dr. Ogone advised the teachers to renew their contracts upon expiry as he also promised to discuss their needs such as gratuity with the Public Service Board towards making learning in ECDE centres efficient.
The books will go along way to help teachers in ensuring success in CBC implementation, increase in enrolment and improved child performance. Parents will also be relieved off the burden of buying exercise and text books as a total of 70 public preschools benefited.
The event was attended by stakeholders in the County education sector including the Ag. Director for ECDE, Mrs. Margaret Apondi, ECDE sub county managers, the chair County Education Committee Hon. David Arao, together with the Kisumu Central sub county administrator Mr. Samson Jagero.
By Vello Wendo
Edited By Matilda
Deputy Governor issuing books towards ECD education to the Sub County ECD managers at Kasao social hall in Kisumu East Sub County. ( Picture by David Wadulo)
The County directorate of gender and youth in partnership with Plan International and Kisumu Medical Education Trust (KMET) Kenya held a 2-day workshop towards sensitization of the Sub- County administrators, ward administrators and the location administrative chiefs on the Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) that was conducted on 25th and 26th of June, 2019 at Royal City hotel.
In the recent past sexual gender violence has been on the rise within Kisumu County, with Nyando sub-county being on the top list with most cases. It is with that background that the county gender technical committee organized a sensitization workshop targeting administrators who frequently interact with the public and receives the SGBV cases.
The workshop was officially opened by County Minister for Education Dr. John Obiero Ogone. In his remarks, Dr. Ogone acknowledged the support from the development partners and the state agencies in ensuring the success of the workshop. The minister noted that the workshop was timely and necessary in managing Gender based violence cases that are on the rise in the county and that meetings such as this was important in raising awareness against SGBV.
Speaking during the workshop Mr. Joel Okumu, the County gender officer stressed on the need to execute a survivor cantered approach in handling SGBV cases in order to take care of the survivors of the violation.
The objective of the workshop was to sensitize the county administrators to understand SGBV situational cases in Kisumu on collaborative approaches to prevention of SGBV, the budgetary costs of SGBV, strengthening referral pathways supporting survivors of SGBV, legal support to SGBV survivors and the supporting policy framework for SGBV.
The speakers unanimously agreed that the fight against SGBV can only be achieved through the multiagency approach, arguing that collaboration and integrative efforts approach is important in addressing the menace.
The workshop was spearheaded by was the County Directors, Gender and youth affairs Adah Omedi, Communication Atieno Otieno and officials from FIDA, NGEC, KMET, Plan International, State officers and JOOTRH
SGBV Sensitization workshop