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)
The ministry of labour and national social protection paid a courtesy call on the County government with the aim of fast-tracking the gains made in social protection programs.
Speaking during the meeting, the head of state social protection department, Mr John Gashigi said the County government must formulate appropriate social protection policies and non-statutory services to cater for the welfare of the vulnerable .
Mr. Gashigi urged the County to engage the department of international development, mandated to provide grants, world food programmes, system strengthening and capacity building as well as development of other social protection programmes. He also stated that there is need to move from protection of the individual’s need to production through collaboration with other partners. “The social protection policy has undergone several changes since 2011 and is still being reviewed to elevate protection process” said Mr. Gashigi.
The World Bank through its department of social protection is dedicated towards eradication of poverty levels among Kenyan youths. Mr Kevin Sanya, a social protection specialist from the World Bank, confirmed that the youth intake training program will continue to year 2021.
According to the acting County director of social services, Mrs. Adah Omedi, the County government of Kisumu has special programmes for the disabled and needy students. She added that several students have benefited from bursaries and scholarship programs; this too is evident in the feeding program in Early Childhood Development Centres. Mrs. Omedi urged different partners to collaborate with the County for the success of the program.
Also present were the stakeholders from Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) and The Kenya National Safety Net Programme.
By Benter Anyang’o
Edited by Matilda Atieno
A team from the world bank,state social protection department and county directorate of social services deliberating on county social protection program initiative (Picture by Jacob Owiti)
The county government of Kisumu joined the world in celebrating the world cancer day, an annual event that is observed every 4th of February.
The World Cancer Day 2019, themed ‘I Am and I Will’ was marked by a procession that was flagged off from the JOOTRH to the West End Mall where screening exercise for all cancer conditions was performed with the aim of creating Cancer Awareness among Kisumu residents.
Cancer survivors, patients and well-wishers, including Aga- Khan hospital, KMTC students from Lake Victoria campus, County health officials and Kisumu hospice participated in the walk earlier today as the band led the team and as slogans and encouragement rented the air.
Speaking during the event, the County clinical officer Mr. Charles Ngwalla noted that early detection of cancer helps in treatment as well as reduce the costs involved in treatment. Mr. Ngwalla also affirmed that the County government intends to work together with all the stakeholders to ensure Radiotherapy can easily be accessed within the County, adding that Radiotherapy service will minimize patient’s movement in search for care.
“With the Universal Health Care, services will be brought closer as a sign to this commitment, added Mr. Ngwala.”
According to Dr. Alfred Mayan from Agha Khan hospital, healthy living revolves around a balanced diet, exercise, regular check up that will help in detection of upcoming infections. He urged the public to avoid drug abuse as this leads to bad health. He went ahead to encourage the general public to embrace daily exercise to keep fit.
“Red meat intake as well as too much intake of vegetable oil also leads to cancer infection”. Mrs. Vilembo Olivia a nutritionist from Agha Khan hospital reiterated the need for balanced diet as this would lower chances of infection.
Also present were stakeholders from the central bank of Kenya, Kenya Revenue authority, KenGen, Kenya power and lighting company and the Tumaini La Maisha leadership initiative.
By Benter Queen
Edited by Matilda Atieno
Cancer survivors, patients and well wishers joined the procession from JOOTRH to West End mall as Kisumu marks World Cancer Day 2019