Rice production in the county could soon double up under a new program initiated by the County government and the Ministry of Agriculture where the programme being implemented is Capacity Development Project for Enhancement of Rice Production in Irrigation Schemes (CaDPERP) under technical cooperation agreement with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
This will see new techniques introduced during production with the same replicated in other areas to enhance productivity and open up new markets for rice promotion.
In a stakeholders meeting chaired by the Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili today, the National Government through the state department for crops development agreed to partner with the County Government with key emphasis placed on up scaling the agricultural value chain.
He was joined by County Ministers, Gilchrist Okuom(Agriculture), Salmon Orimba (Water and Environment), Mr Masahiko Murakami Ph.D (JICA) and representatives from the National Irrigation Board.
By GPU
County Ministers, Gilchrist Okuom (Agriculture), Salmon Orimba(Water and Environment), Mr. Masahiko Murakami Ph. D (JICA) and representatives from the National Irrigation Board. ( Photo by GPU)
The county government has launched its first Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) program in a meeting that was held at the county headquarters earlier this week.
The initiative’s main objective is to fast track service delivery to Kisumu county residents and to implement the governor’s manifesto.
Speaking during the launch, the County Minister for Environment, Water, Irrigation and Natural Resources, Mr. Salmon Orimba said, every directorate has to set up structures that includes, project planning and implementation, monitoring and evaluation, liaison and mobilization, administration and enforcement, in order to realize the RRI.
Mr. Orimba also noted that there is need for proper documentation that will put in place proper revenue collection plan and a list of all the actors in charge of services in all the 47 sub counties in Kisumu, adding that the procurement office should ensure that all payments made should be captured and recorded.
The RRI is structured in four thematic areas which include, Solid Waste Management, Pollution control, enforcement and administration. Each of the thematic areas have a taskforce that presented implementation strategy to ensure realistic projects and activities to be accomplished.
In his remarks, Mr. George Okong’o, the governor’s economic advisor reaffirmed the governors interest in ensuring service delivery to the residents of Kisumu and that projects that are geared towards the same are prioritized.
The RRI initiative is expected to complete all its 47 projects by June this year thus ensuring food security, reduced pollution and clean water for residents within Kisumu county.
By Enos Ambani
County Minister for Environment, Water, Irrigation & Natural Resources, Salmon Orimba addressing the task force during the RRI program launch ( Photo by Collins Owuor)
The county government of Kisumu today donated sets of sports gears in support of the Manyatta United football club, thanks to the directorate of sports.
The Ag. Chief Officer for Tourism Arts Culture Sports and Information, Mr. Thomas Ouko handed out kits and footballs to the team in an effort to support and boost local team morale.
Mr. Ouko told the team founder, Mr. Anthony ‘Mzee’ Obala that the department is open to more positive engagement towards sports development especially amongst local leagues. Chief officer promised to officially visit the club to inspire the young boys and girls.
Manyatta united is a local football club that was founded after the 2007-2008 post-election violence to advocate for peaceful co-existence among youths in the community. The club is linked to Manyatta resource centre which is a community youth group formed to provide space for youths’ empowerment and to nature talents.
In his remarks, Mzee Obala, commended the good gesture by Ag. Chief Officer and Directorate of Sports headed by George Auma, adding that the relationship built between county and Manyatta youth centre has so far bore fruits.
Mr. Obala appreciated efforts made by the department in supporting youths and local football.
Manyatta United is set to participate in the upcoming tournament dubbed Chapa Dimba regional championship on the 9th and 10th of February 2019.
By Matilda Atieno
Ag. Chief Officer for for Tourism, Arts, Culture ,Sports and Information, Mr. Thomas Ouko ( Right) handing out sets of sports gears to Mr. Anthony ‘Mzee’ Obala towards Manyatta United football club (Photo By Matilda Atieno
At least 300 markets in Kisumu will receive title deeds following a joint initiative between the County Government and the Ministry of Lands
Under a program dubbed wizara mashinani the national government through the state department has already made plans to establish land clinics within the county in efforts to end land wrangles.
Speaking in Kisumu, lands Cabinet Administrative Secretary Gideon Mung’aro expressed concern over the large number of uncollected titles; he promised to engage the county government in issuing out the deeds.
According to Mung’aro the government was in the process of reviewing fraudulently obtained land and soon they would be handed over to their rightful owners. He called for immediate standardization of records to clean up the land’s registry.
The lack of land titles is a big blow to investor confidence and drastic measures are needed to reverse the trend said Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili.
“We already have a task force currently preparing a report on land reforms; their findings will be handed over to the governor in fourteen days time. Despite having the required space for the establishment of a special economic zone the lack of proper documentation on the parcel was slowing down efforts to operationalize it”added the Deputy Governor.
Dr. Owili was confident that the government’s renewed interest on land matters would go a long a way in ending conflicts especially around the border areas.
By Collins Owuor
Deputy governor, Dr. Mathew Owili welcoming CAS Gideon Mung’aro in his office (Photo by GPU)
The county government in partnership with Kenya Red Cross organized a two day disaster and emergency management workshop that was held at St John’s Manor Hotel in Kisumu.
The focus of the discussions was on the clear need for accelerated implementation of disaster management tools and equipment, as well as the need to acquire new and upgrading the ones in place including ambulances.
More than anything the flow of information during an emergency will enable quick response and recovery through prevention and mitigation process.
It was also recommended that a joint framework for aligning activities during an emergency would help in developing a dedicated approach towards disaster management.
The departments represented from the county government included health and sanitation, water and irrigation, special programs, agriculture, green energy and climate change and the county fire brigade.
Kisumu West Sub-County Administrator, Mr. Samson Oron (right) makes contribution during the County Disaster Emergency Management Training Organized by the Red Cross at the St John’s Manor Hotel on 29 Th Jan 2019. Looking on is Torchlight Company Project Manager, Mr. Shaun Davis (left) (Photo by Jacob Owiti)
The government has announced plans to support operations in research centres in a bid to empower SME’s in the industrial sector.
According to Trade and Industrialization CS Peter Munya the developments will go a long way in opening markets to strengthen the county’s economy.
Speaking at the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute in Kisumu the CS lauded the county government for its commitment towards SME’s development.
The establishment in Kibos has been at the forefront in promoting innovation through research and product development.
“Kisumu alone has seven industrial development centres spread across constituencies and plans are already underway to increase their numbers”, said Deputy Governor Dr Mathew Owili.
In an earlier visit at the Kenya Breweries plant in Kisumu the CS expressed confidence that the government was willing to involve counties in efforts to spur economic growth.
The ksh15 billion plant is expected to transforms the livelihoods of residents ahead of its anticipated opening later this year.
By Collins Owuor
Kisumu County Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili admires a hand made product at KILDRI looking on is Trade and Industrialisation CS Peter Munya
Cabinet Secretary for Industry, Trade and Co-operatives, Hon. Peter Munya this morning paid a courtesy call to the County Government of Kisumu where he was received by the Deputy Governor Dr. Ochieng’ Owili.
Hon Peter Munya is in the county to inspect the current state of the one million hectolitres Kisumu breweries plant ahead of the official launch later on this year.
The fourteen billion plant is set to create limitless job opportunities to the people of Kisumu both directly and indirectly.
The 3500 beer outlets and sorghum farming in the region is a fast to the robust growth of the economy of Kisumu County.
This is will ensure eradication of illicit brew that has killed the dreams of youths in the region.
By GPU
Edited by Matilda Atieno
CS. Peter Munya (Right), MD KBL Jane Karuku (centre) and Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili (Left) cheers to the drink at Kisumu KBL plant
The county government of Kisumu led by department of health and sanitation this week rolled out a 5-day Universal Health Coverage (UHC) mop-up exercise which will run from the 23rd to the 28th of January 2019.
The process commenced in all public hospitals, public primary schools, assistant chief’s offices and other public places across the county. In Kisumu central sub county at Jomo Kenyatta Sports Ground, the turn up reported was fair but as the day went by the turn up was expected to go higher.
Registrants who turned up described the exercise as fast, having taken less than 10 minutes to register. “I have been here just less than ten minutes, i was asked to produce my ID after which my details were keyed into the system. I got a confirmation message that i had been successfully registered and i could visit any hospital for treatment.” said a resident
While explaining the process, Mr. Emmanuel Ayieko, a UHC registration agent said that the exercise aims at filling dependants and registering residents who did not manage to register in the first phase. “We want to see that everyone who is within the county is covered. For it is important that health matters are given the uttermost concerns ever.” He added.
According to Dr. Albert Ngung’a, the county is also cognisant of the fact that there is also another category of people who may not have National Identification cards and children without birth certificates, who have been granted an equal opportunity to register during this mop-up exercise.
All people living in Kisumu are urged to register their details for UHC.
By Kevin Ouko
Edited by Matilda Atieno
Ms. Margaret Atieno Ochieng (left) from Kolwa ward is registers for Universal Health Coverage-UHC by Ms. Immaculate Rael Atieno (in blue top) at the Jomo Kenyatta Sports ground following the extension of registration exercise. The extension of the registration expires on 28th February 2019. (Photo by Jacob Owiti)
The Workshop on implementation of UNESCO conventions for safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) kicked off on the 22nd of January 2019 at Kisumu Hotel.
The five-day workshop aimed at leadership building capacity in relation to culture and heritage conservation was officially opened by the County Minister for Tourism Sports and Culture Achie Alai.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, the Minister recognized the role played by culture in human identification, emphasizing that there is need to build capacities in leadership at all levels in order to preserve, conserve and disseminate the intangible cultural heritages of our people.
“Culture is the sense of being a Kenyan especially in relation to the brand “Maasai attire” the “ingoho by the luhya community as well as fish meal for the Luo community” gives that inner feeling of cultural identity, it makes you feel being a Kenyan is valuable” Said Hon. Achie
The Minister recognized the role of culture in the development of a society adding that culture forms an integral part of a feature that establishes unity thus the need to map out cultural spots for conservation and preservation.
In light of the foregoing, the county government of Kisumu under the able leadership of the County Minister Achie has organized fashion Fridays for a period of four weeks so as to embrace the African attire and the African cultural dressing mode.
Hon. Alai also pledged the county’s commitment towards preservation of cultural diversities that set Kisumu as a county that appreciates culture at all levels.
The workshop that is steered by Kenya National Commission for UNESCO brought together stakeholders in the field of culture across the Lake region and key players in heritage conservancy.
Also present was County Ministers for Tourism, Hon. Ng’ariba Samson of Migori County, Hon. Roseline Adhiambo of Homa-bay county, Dr. Elizabeth Achieng Odhiambo of Siaya County among other leaders.
By Felix Nyabalah
Edited by Matilda Atieno
Stakeholders at the workshop on implementation of UNESCO conventions for safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) at Kisumu Hotel.( Photo by Innocent Oleche)
Kisumu turns to WhatsApp for better services
By GEORGE OMONDI…BUSINESS DAILY AFRICA
Wednesday, January 16, 2019 19:07
Summary
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- Kisumu is testing an interactive WhatsApp platform that allows residents to get information promptly.
How long does it take you to get information about your county? The Kisumu County Government thinks the business community, residents and visitors should have vital information almost instantly.
This week, the county has been testing an interactive WhatsApp platform that allows residents to get information promptly.
All that one needs to do is to send the word “hello” from a WhatsApp account to +254 756 742 421.
That message prompts the county digital assistant to release a drop-down menu that asks the user to select a code representing their area of interest.
There is a separate code for government ministries, healthcare services, tourists sites, hotels and radio stations.
“When you send the word “hello”, it gives you an automated “welcome” response and from there, you can get information on anything,” says Levit Nudi, one of the brains behind the platform.
“It is very similar to USSD codes like *100# with the only major difference being that it’s running on WhatsApp, which is not a common thing to find anywhere,” he said, adding that future plans include creating codes for information on county jobs, tenders, and other opportunities.
Maurice Owen, County’s Director of Information, said Kisumu has come up with a digital information assistant in order to improve information service delivery.
“Automatic response to inquiries is meant to satisfy information needs of residents up to the village level, which is in line with the governor’s 10 point agenda No 4 and 8 which talk about access to information and use of ICT,” he said
Why a WhatsApp platform? Mr Owen said the platform requires no training since most residents are already using WhatsApp.
“The system is not limited to residents only but will also help visitors or anyone outside the county to access accurate and relevant information efficiently,” he says.
Currently, smartphone penetration in Kenya is over 80 per cent with majority of users having subscribed to WhatsApp, a popular messaging and Voice over IP service owned by Facebook that allows users to send text messages, voice calls, recorded voice messages, video calls, images, documents and user location.
More than one billion people in over 180 countries use WhatsApp to stay in touch. “The county government of Kisumu seeks to tap into this opportunity to leverage on the platform as a service which will see many young people stay informed,” Mr Owen told the Business Daily.
The Kisumu’s directorate of information, he added, was developing a county database to provide more detailed information through a resource centre to be opened by Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o upon completion of the database compilation.
https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/corporate/tech/4258474-4258474-o2lonyz/index.html
Smartphone penetration in Kenya is over 80 per cent with majority of users having subscribed to WhatsApp. FILE PHOTO | NMG