The County Director for Special Programs, Madam Ruth Odinga today chaired a multidisciplinary disaster response meeting in her office to forge the way forward on strategies that can be put in place to mitigate the spread of Coronavirus among the residents across the sub counties and Wards within the County.

The meeting which brought on board the Deputy County Commissioner, Mr. Cheruyot who represented the County Commissioner, all the Sub county Administrators who sit in disaster response committees, representatives from the Kenya Red cross Kisumu branch, Fablab, and County officers from line departments was to discuss their inputs towards the response to the pandemic.

Speaking during the meeting, Ruth Odinga implored on the health department to fast track the sensitization sessions to the Special Programs officers, Sub county Administrators, Ward Administrators in order to equip them with the right information that they need as they go to meet the people on the ground. She also tasked them to come up with a screening strategy at the bus park, cross border vehicles such as buses and trailers.

The Director for Public health and Sanitation, Mr. Fred Oluoch used the forum to educate the members on the basics of the disease, that it is a respiratory disease that can be spread through contacts and droplets. He further outlined the basic hygiene measures that individuals must adhere to such as hand washing among others.

He Further mentioned that currently the department is conducting training sessions to front-line health workers across sub counties, then later the Community Health Workers and the rest of departments in that order. A part from trainings, isolation wards have been set up and sensitization sessions in local radios is ongoing. He called for support from line departments in ensuring that the right information reaches the people.

The Special Programs agreed to support the initiative by printing for them posters done in English, Kiswahili and Luo to be posted at the ward levels, while the county water department has offered to supply clean water for the needy areas.

The Deputy County Commissioner Mr.Cheruyot  on his part said they have put local structure in place that can help disseminate information up to the local level and that their people have been trained and currently they are using door to door approach to sensitize the people in attempt to minimize gatherings. He pledged that their office is willing to work with the team asking the health department to take lead in giving guidance.

The Red cross branch Manager, Mr. George Opidi said they have trained, a Clinical Officer and a Public Health Officer, now Trainers of Trainees whom have also trained 35 volunteers who are equipped to train should their services be required.

Currently, they have prioritized to do hand washing demos and sensitization sessions to a lean forum among the people in the evacuation centers such as Ogenya, Kasindi, Kaloo and Kibuye market. They have also provided hand-washing equipment in the above-mentioned areas.

Representatives from Fablab said they have come up with a USSD code that can be used to trace suspect cases.

Director Special Program, Madam Ruth Odinga chairing a disaster response meeting in her office at Prosperity house

Director Public Health and Sanitation Mr.Fredrick Oluoch addressing the meeting on the basic hygiene measures to curb the spread of coronavirus

Sensitization session by Director Fredrick Oluoch

Dr. Abong’o from department of health, making his contribution during the meeting

County department of Special Programmes, led by Madam Ruth Odinga, on  Monday received a satellite application for disaster risk recovery systems worth Ksh. 500million that will Enhance co-ordination, command and control of disaster response at local, regional and national level.

The satellite system was donated to the department after the SatDRR company undertook a Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) capacity development programme embedded in capability and knowledge to improve County officials’ capacity to effectively plan for and respond to disasters using satellite technology.

The system provides a secure, resilient, always-on infrastructure in disaster situations – providing critical tools for emergency communications and situation assessment.

Madam Ruth Odinga reiterated that the system will be useful for detection of early warnings, early actions and even better evacuation centers on higher grounds.

The County Assembly Speaker, Hon. Elisha Oraro on his part, lauded the initiative saying the system will be key in GIS planning, monitoring and communication. He added that the trained staff should be retained for consistency and conservation of the institution’s memory.

Speaking while receiving the satellite system at the Acacia premier Hotel, the Deputy Governor. Dr Mathew Owili, thanked the development partners for the good gesture and that the satellite system will enhance quick response to disaster when disasters struck the County.

Apart from Kisumu County, the project is also being implemented in Nairobi, Kilifi and Baringo Counties by a group of companies namely: Torchlight, Airbus, Global Radio data Communications, UK Space Agency, Avanti Communications and the Kenya Red Cross.

Also present during the event were MCAs: Hon. David Arao of Railways ward, Hon. Maurice Ngeta from Awasi /Onjiko ward, Mr. Brian Edwards from GRC, Mr. Charles Kamau from Avanti, County Head of GIS, Mr. Tom Ogolla among other top County Officials.

Kisumu Deputy Governor,Dr. Mathew Owili in the company of top County officials receiving the satellite application for disaster risk recovery systems at Acacia Hotel, Kisumu

the Deputy Governor, Dr. Mathew Owili and his entourage being explained to how the satellite system works

Head of GIS, Mr. Tom Ogolla explaining to the County dignitaries the benefits of the satellite system to the County

The county government has made tremendous contributions to strengthen the education sector by integrating with private stakeholders to boost access and education standards.

Speaking when he joined Kisumu Junior Academy fraternity in their annual prize-giving day, Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili lauded the role played by the community in the education sector.

According to the Deputy Governor, learning institutions must enhance and promote creativity among students to aid their development. With a renewed interest in learning programs, the county government has disbursed already Kshs. 65 million to cater for bright students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Joining the Deputy Governor were county directors; Junior Omondi, Valerie Kizito, Collins Koremo, sub-county administrator Vincent Jagero among other guests.

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Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili receives a bouquet of flowers upon his arrival at Kisumu Junior Academy