The stage is set for tomorrow’s official launch of the phase II Symbiocity project, by Kisumu Governor Professor Nyong’o in the company of high powered delegation from the Council of Governors, Symbiocity pilot Counties, Local political leaders, County top Officials
and the stakeholders in Ahero town.
The move comes after completion of the phase one referred to as the quick win project which comprised of drainage construction, putting up of litter bins in town and trainings on waste management which led to the formation of the project agent Voluntary Champions who are charged with the responsibility of creating awareness and sensitizing the community on the project benefits while advocating for effective community involvement to foster project ownership.
The phase two project also dubbed the change project, focuses on solid waste management and the improvement of the drainage system within the market. With the systematic approach, solutions will be geared towards the reduction of pollution to Nyando River and also improving the livelihoods of the locals by creating opportunities for the youth to engage in economic activities.
The anticipated impact as a result of implementation of the phase II project include; the market area being free of solid and liquid waste allowing traders to sell their wares in a clean and safe environment, the park will provide a recreation space for all the locals and visitors of Ahero, innovative waste management and setting up of the compost pit will provide opportunity for locals to engage in income generating activities and the construction of modern stalls along the highway in the market area, will provide a more conducive business environment for the pro- poor and increase the revenue base for the county government
As a curtain raiser to the event, the technical working group, the stakeholders, Champions and the local football teams within Ahero organised a series of clean up exercise dubbed “My Environment my lifeline” and football tournaments for the local teams in a bid to unite and nurture the upcoming talents and also to sensitize the residents of Ahero on matters clean environment for sustainable urban growth.
The football matches were held in Onjiko Primary school yesterday in the afternoon after a clean-up exercise in the market area during morning hours.
The teams that participated comprised of girls and boys. The first round was the boys of Kasuna Vs Vasco FC where they had a draw of Nil- Nil, later Vasco FC thrashed Kasuna on a 5-4 win on penalties .In the second match Korea team beat Oketha at 1-Nil and for the girls team, they had a draw of 1-1 and later Obama beat Kasuna Girls on penalties at 4-3 goals.
The finals are scheduled for tomorrow during the official launch of the change projects where the winners will be awarded. Besides a major clean-up of Ahero town has also been scheduled as a climax to the launch of the change project.
By: Emily Mikwa
The TWG, Champions, Stakehoders and the Local football clubs cleaning Ahero Market
Cleaning Ahero Market
The project coordinator Mr Sospeter Onuga addressing the football clubs before the commencement of the matches at Onjiko Primary School
The Chairman of stakeholders Mr Ken giving words of encouragement to the clubs
Kisumu County has clinched a 66-20 win against Bungoma County in the basketball duel at the Kenya Inter-Counties Sports and Cultural Association (KICOSCA) which is currently on at Kericho County.
The win has propelled them to book space for the finals of which they are optimistic to win.
The table tennis team will soon be locked in a tussle with Narok in the semi -finals after thrashing Samburu 3-1 in the quarter finals
The tennis coach Mr. Antony Onyango says he is upbeat of the victory.
Elizabeth Kakai of Kisumu ( blue Jersey) scores a basket during their match against Bungoma in their Semi- finals
Kisumu basketball team dribbling the basket ball to the finals
Kisumu is set to introduce malaria vaccine across the county as an additional intervention to other existing malaria control measures following the introduction of the vaccine in Kenya.
During a workshop that brought together stakeholders at the Vic Hotel in Kisumu, the County malaria unit plans to implement the malaria vaccine exercise in the county.
According to Fredrick Oluoch, Kisumu East Sub County Malaria Coordinator, Kenya joined two other African countries Ghana and Malawi, who are already implementing the vaccine in the continent. The vaccine is the first ever malaria vaccine to be introduced by World Health Organization (WHO).
Mr. Oluoch stressed that the Malaria vaccine provides additional intervention to other existing malaria control interventions in Kenya and should be used together with other existing malaria intervention as it provides partial immunity.
The Vaccines targets older children between 5 -17 months of age and infants receives the vaccine together with other routine childhood vaccines at 6,10 and 14 weeks of age. Mr. Oluoch also emphasized the need to for children to receive all other vaccines to protect them from other illnesses.
The other interventions are regular use of mosquito nets which is the most effective method in malaria case management, testing and treating at hospitals, community case management for malaria at households’ level through community health workers, use of indoor residual sprays and use of malaria prophylaxis.
He noted that children are at high risk of malaria due to the fact that they still lack immunity(protection) against malaria.
The vaccine targets around 360000 children in Kenya per year and will be of public health impact given the large number of malaria cases in children it will avert.
Kisumu East Sub County Malaria Coordinator,Mr.Fredrick Oluoch, making a presentation during a stakeholders workshop in at the VIC hotel
A bout 30 new cancer cases are reported monthly at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) indicating very high incidences, this is according to report by the health directorate, following the current intervention strategy programs and services put in place to increase screening among undeserved populations in Kisumu.
It is on the basis of the rising cases of cancer that the Counties First Ladies Association (CFLA ) in partnership with Roche, Women 4 Cancer and Africa Cancer Foundation visited JOOTRH earlier this week in a fact finding mission intended to establish the facts and circumstances of the cancer scourge in eight counties, including, Kisumu, Makueni, Bungoma, Kakamega, Meru, Laikipia, TaitaTaveta, and Nakuru.
Mama Kisumu, Dorothy Nyong’o played host to H. E Nazi Kuvutha together with the partners who pledged commitment to support the fight against cancer through implementation of an Enabling and Motivating Partnership Owned by Women to Engage and Reclaim their lives (EMPOWER).
On their tour to Kisumu’s JOOTRH, the partnership sought to understand facts, challenges and recommendations towards Cancer intervention strategies that will inform the EMPOWER project which seeks to contribute to the prevention, early diagnosis, treatment with standard care and education of women in the community on cervical and breast cancer.
Speaking during stakeholders meeting that brought together, Radiation Oncologists, oncology nurses, specialist and county health officials, H.E Nazi Kivutha of Makueni County expresses her commitment towards the fight against cancer through establishing EMPOWER projects in the Counties in order to prioritize cancer care and treatment as well as strengthening the health care systems for treatment in the counties.
In her remarks, Mama Kisumu pledged support from cancer diagnosis to availability of treatment, adding that in order to kick cancer out of Kisumu, screening must be perfected through treatment.
County First Ladies, H.E Nazi Kivutha of Makueni, Mama Dorothy Nyong’o of Kisumu togethet with CEC member for Health Prof. Judith Attyang’ taken through breast cancer screening process.
Today, Kisumu Governor Professor Nyong’o affirmed his support aimed at nurturing sporting talent among the youth and empowering them to harness their potential.
“As a county we congratulate Manyatta United once again for their well-deserved victory in the National Chapa Dimba tournament that saw them being crowned as the national champions after beating Rift Valley Al – Ahly 2 – 1” said the Governor
He also lauded the Manyatta United for their sterling performance at the Nyanza Regional Chapa Dimba that earned the runners up position. Both teams having being drawn from Manyatta Youth Resource Centre under the stewardship of Antony Oballah.
“Strengthening sports industry through adequate resource mobilization and infrastructure development is a key to ensuring youths excel in sports and earn a decent living. It’s in the same breathe that we are calling like-minded corporate bodies and individuals to join us in our bid to put up an ultra-modern sporting complex at the Moi Stadium grounds” he acknowledged.
Kisumu Governor thanked Safaricom for sponsoring such tournaments and taking the boys from Manyatta United to Spain for football training. Such initiatives develop the youths to exploit their full potential including joining the ranks of professional sportsmen and women.
Manyatta United both boys and girls football teams presenting to the Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o and his Deputy Dr. Ochieng’ Owili their earned Trophies following their crowning as the National Chapa Dimba winners and Nyanza Region Runners up respectively at the Governor’s office.
Trophies earned by Manyatta United team for both Girls and Boys
Kisumu County makes a notch after receiving two ultra-modern ambulances from KENHA. The two moving ICU’s will go to Pap Onditi Hospital and Nyabondo Hospital adding on the number of ambulances in the county.
In addition KENHA is putting up a trauma center at Nyabondo Hospital. The centre will serve patients suffering from major traumatic injuries such as falls, motor vehicle collisions, or gunshot wounds.
Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o flagging of 15 million Ultra Modern Ambulance donated by KENHA to Kisumu to respond to emergency cases in the county.
Ultra modern equipped ambulance
Kisumu is currently undergoing tremendous enterprise transformation evident by; revival of the old Kisumu Port, establishment of a rapid transport system, development of the special economic zone, modernization of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital and establishment of a cancer center at the facility.
Currently, Ksh. 60 million has been set aside this financial year. Additionally there is the ongoing construction of the Kisumu Business and Incubation Center and the level preparedness towards hosting AfriCities 2021.
“We meet our ambitions through deliberate interventions to develop niche opportunities for foreign investors to tap. It is against this this backdrop that my deputy and I hosted the newly ambassadors chaperoned by Ambassador Njeru Githae to have a conversation of the available investment opportunities in Kisumu and to keep them abreast of the county’s level of preparedness towards hosting AfriCities 2021” said the Governor.
The idea is to invite the ambassadors to lobby for development partners to flock Kisumu from their respective countries thus revamping the County’s economic base.
Hosting the newly appointed Ambassadors currently in Kisumu for induction to a dinner meeting.
The County Directorate Green of Climate Change in partnership with Community Rehabilitation and environmental protection program (CREP), Suswatch, and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) held a climate change workshop in order to sensitize the members on how to link Cimate response to the 17 SDGs at Wigot Gardens, Kisumu.
The deliberations of the workshop was to strengthen the understanding of Climate change working group and the Persons Living with Disabilities on SDGs framework and how to mainstream SDGs in climate change actions in the County, mainstreaming special groups such as Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWDs), Youths, Women and to map out climatic actions in the County from all stakeholders with specific linkages to relevant SDGs.
The Ag. Chief Officer Water, Climate Change, Environment and Natural Resources, Mr Dan Ongor, while officially opening the workshop said it was a timely workshop in discussing the SDG No. 13 on climate which has an impact on the 17 SDGs on environmental issues. He urged the team to strive to achieve some of the indicators locally.
He also acknowledged the fact that PLWDs can be more vulnerable to climate change, hence capacity building to create awareness to the PLWDs is key to enable them adapt and contribute in reduction of climate change risks.
He further outlined that there are about 240 indicators and 169 targets to be met locally and that the County CIDP, work plan and the budget has factored in the engagement of people from all spheres in the community.
The County Director for climate Change, Mr. Evans Gichana on his part emphasized the need to incorporate the PLWDs in order to tap their resources and that the workshop would also provide a platform to discuss how the special groups can be involved on climate change issues.
While speaking on behalf of development partners, Mr Robert from FES commended County for the development of Climate Change Policy and the Technical working Group, however, he challenged them to hold more meetings on mainstreaming and carry out monitoring and evaluation to ensure that all indicators are in line with the SDGs’ reporting levels.
The Ag. Chief Department of Water, Climate Change, Environment and Natural Resources , Mr Dan Ongor giving his opening remarks during the official opening of the Climate Change workshop at Wigot Gardens, Kisumu
Mr. Osano who is hearing impaired participant airs his views in sign language during the workshop
Madam Carolyne Agwanda making a presentation on mainstreaming special interest groups at the workshop
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
The county government has condemned the brutal murder of Ferdinand Ongeri who until his disappearance last Wednesday, was the deputy chairman for the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN), Kisumu branch.
Addressing nurses at the County Headquarters, Health CEC Prof. Judy Etiang called for speedy investigations as she urged the nursing fraternity to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies to bring the culprits to justice.
The deceased was described as a humble and dedicated person who performed his role diligently as a union representative.
In his address, KNUN Kisumu Secretary general Mr. Maurice Opetu petitioned the county commissioner to beef up security in all health facilities to safeguard the welfare of medics.
According to Kisumu County Deputy Commissioner, John Cheruiyot, investigators were already chasing leads to unravel the mystery behind the murder.
He vowed to upscale security in all health facilities as he urged the medics to provide information to aid the authorities in their probe.
By Collins Owuor
Health CEC Prof. Judy Etiang giving a press briefing over the Killing of the Deputy KNUN Mr. Ongeri Ondieki
Kisumu County Nurses stage demonstrations over the murder of their KNUN Deputy Chairman Mr. Ferdinand Ondieki Ongeri