Kisumu County residents are urged to take advantage of the ongoing huduma number registration exercise at the Jomo Kenyatta Sports ground in Kisumu.
Speaking in Kisumu earlier today, CS for Interior and Coordination of National Government, Dr. Fred Matiangi emphasized on the need to register for the huduma number as it will help integrate crucial government data in one database.
Kisumu County governor, Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o who accompanied the CS urged residents to turn up and register for the Huduma Number, the governor hailed the exercise as one which will ease the provision of government services to its citizens. The Governor called upon those present at the event to act as ambassadors and help have the message reach everyone in the county, adding that Huduma number is very important and all Kenyans need to consider registering for it.
“If you want a passport, a bank loan or even business registration license, you will need Huduma number,” emphasized governor Nyong’o.
Huduma number registration was launched by President Uhuru on the 3rd of April 2019 in Machakos County and is aimed at getting all Kenyans to register for the number to help ease service delivery.
According to the CS, about 5 million Kenyans have so far registered for the huduma number. Dr. Matiang’i ordered county commissioner of Kisumu to ensure the number of registration kits was added and that registration centers open at 6:00 am to start the exercise. He downplayed the linking of the exercise to the satanic views and urged all Kenyans to turn up and register.
The CS was in the county to oversee the ongoing registration of the Huduma Number. The visit by the CS came days after the suspension of the Kisumu county registration exercise that was to start on the 10th of April 2019. Also present at the event were the deputy governor Dr. Mathews Owili, the Kisumu county women representative Hon. Rosa Buyu and Hon. Jared Okello among other dignitaries.
By Felix Nyabala
Edited By Matilda Atieno
CS Dr. Fred Matiangi,Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o, Women Rep Rosa Buyu and other County representatives inspecting the Huduma services at e Huduma centre in Kisumu
Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o today launched the much awaited stipend for community health workers (CHWs), a program that is set to boost Primary Healthcare in Kisumu East.
The program is aimed at promoting the wellness of community members by enabling accessibility, inter-sectional collaboration, health promotion and community participation.
In his speech Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o, urged Kolwa community members to make use of the local health facilities served by the community health workers. This follows the benefits accorded to the CHWs during the launch.
About 2500 healthcare workers have each received a stipend of Ksh 2000 per month back dated from January 2019 and NHIF cover of Ksh 500 registration. The Governor, mentioned that the national government has set aside 45M to support CHWs across the country.
Speaking during the launch, the County Minister for Health Dr. Rosemary Obara congratulated the CHWs for their unfailing hard work to ensure that community members are at their best in terms of health care. She cited the progress in the health sector, reminding residents of the new theatres available in the sub counties, promising that Gita health centre and Nyakach sub county hospital are set to receive theatre services soon.
The CHWs received their payment in form of a cheque back dated from January, bicycles to facilitate their movement in their line of duty as well as the computer for electronic data recording.
A similar exercise was simultaneously carried out in Nyakach Pap Onditi sub county hospital, steered by the Deputy Governor, Dr, Mathew Owili.
By Benter Anyango
Edited By Matilda Atieno
Governor Prof Anyang Nyong’o presents a cheque of Ksh 2,490,000 to Kisumu East Community Health Workers as their three months’ stipend. He also distributed bicycles to ease their transportation in the villages
Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr Mathew Owili undergoes a screening session during the launch of Community Health workers stipend at Pap Onditi Hospital,Nyakach Sub Count
Kisumu County’s investment in community and primary health care.
About 2500 community health workers (CHW) are set to benefit from 45 million shillings set-aside by the county government of Kisumu as stipend.
The amount has been budgeted to cover for 6 months stipend before the next financial year commences. Each of the CHW’s will be receiving Ksh 3000 on a monthly basis.
Governor Peter Anyang Nyong’o will on 12th of April launch the payment at Angola hospital in Kisumu East Sub-county, during which he will pay off the first batch of 16 million shillings to the CHW’s.
The remuneration is in line with the promise given by the County Government of Kisumu as an appreciation for the services rendered by the health volunteers who are equally distributed and designated at the units.
Kisumu’s county government had committed to pay stipends following a community health policy that was reviewed by the council of governors.
As part of capacity building for volunteers and CHW’s, a 13 module curriculum was also developed including 6 basic and 7 technical manual for the community volunteers.
This step will go a long way in the impact created by Universal Healthcare (UHC) which is linked directly to health at the household level through primary health care.
Primary health care encompasses correct health seeking behavior, the correct knowledge about health and wellness, use of clean water for drinking, proper house hold hygiene and excreta disposal and adequate nutrition of a balanced diet, child immunization and monitoring of pregnant women and sufficient mental health and stability and oral health. (Continuum of health care)
One of the challenges under UHC was the decision to pay community health workers a stipend as a way of appreciation to their work in promoting health and providing services to communities.
Numerous arguments and counter have been advanced on the ability to sustain the payment to community health workers since the onset of their usage in 1978 when they started working as volunteers known as CHV’s.
The Kisumu county government realizing their immense value has taken a bold step to begin paying this providing remuneration that will go a long way in incentivizing this cadre of workers to have faith and perform better in their work places.
In Kisumu County the CHW’s form the largest single health work force and have been delivering services pro- bono.
It’s a major land mark in history that the governor will unlock the door of non -payment to this faithful and dedicated workers.
Apart from the stipend the county government is embarking on programs to develop their income generating base to guarantee their adherence and sustainability to the work as well as their medical cover under NHIF.
Angola health center, situated in Kisumu East sub county is a shining example of an integrated development program where practical skills are offered to the community especially the vulnerable groups and knowledge and appropriate attitude change is exchanged and grounded .
Angola is one of the designated places benefitting from food security programs and enterprise programs, clean water provision, early child hood development and youth stroke adolescent empowerment.
The overall result is predictable development of all age groups. This programs will adapt well to the new dispensation of making the villages centers and engines of development within the sub counties in particular and the county overall.
“It our intention to replicate this model in all the sub counties in Kisumu.” Governor Nyongo says.
The community unit structure comprises CHCs, CHVs, CHWs, households, and affiliate health facilities. The nearest health facility is the community’s link for seeking all health services.
The community unit, which draws its membership from the catchment area, is led by the CHC and office personnel to support the CHVs in their community-related health work. Post- devolution, there is increased investment by counties on the community strategy, with revision of the strategy designed to reach communities mainly through employed staff with the support of volunteers (5 CHWs from 2 per 1000 HHs). A community health policy has been drafted and is being reviewed by the Council of Governors.
It seems that all basic preparations have been made and what is remaining is getting consensus and endorsement by MOH and counties with agreed design changes if necessary and scale up to ensure that Kenya is investing more on prevention and promotion. Currently, there are 4587 community units established with 4048 CHWs and 90758 CHVs, and only 7 counties met average of deploying 2 CHWs per county.
There is however need to re-examine and strengthen the community strategy as a means of reaching the community. This should include the mobilization of additional resources for community based interventions and leveraging the use of community health workers in enrolling the population on to the National Hospital Insurance Scheme.
Comprehensive and integrated care for the bulk of the assorted health problems in the community is more efficient than relying on separate services for selected problems, partly because it leads to a better knowledge of the population and builds greater trust.
By Lorraine Anyango
The Government has announced plans to release quarterly and annual reports on the implementation pace of the big four agenda.
Speaking in Kisumu during the dissemination of the third Medium Term Plan (MTP) forum, ICT Principal Secretary Jerome Ochieng said that the government was in the process of aligning the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) and the 3rd MTP for effective implementation of development projects.
The National Government launched the 3rd MTP (2018-2022) in November 2018 to succeed the 2nd MTP (2013-2017) which implemented policies, programmes and projects geared towards the realization of the country’s development blueprint, Vision 2030. If implemented the developments will spike economic growth and create over 6.5 million new jobs said the PS.
Giving his address Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr Mathew Owili welcomed the move as he called for increased collaborations between counties and the national government to spur economic development.
The 3rd MTP focuses on advancing socio-economic development through the implementation of policies, programmes and projects designed to achieve the “Big Four”, namely; Manufacturing, Enhancing food security and Nutrition, Affordable housing and the 100% roll out of the Universal Health Coverage.
Also present were Nyakach legislator Hon. Aduma Owuor, The County Secretary Dr.Olang’o Onudi, CEC’s,(Finance and Economic Planning) Nerry Achar,(Agriculture) Gilchrist Okuom, (Health) Dr. Rosemary Obara, (Tourism & Culture) Achie Alai and Education and ICT’s Dr Obiero Ogone, including the County Commissioner Madam Pauline Dola among other officials.
By Collins Owuor
Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili briefs the media on the progress of implementing the third Medium Term Plan in the county following a consultative meeting with ICT PS Jerome Ochieng at Kisumu Hotel (Picture by GPU)
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.
