The County Department of Education, IT and Human Capacity Development in partnership with World Vision and Ecumenical Centre for Justice and Peace (ECJP) organized a stakeholders’ validation meeting for Kisumu County Youth Development plan 2019/23 at St. John’s Manor Hotel, Millimani.
This is one of the initiatives that gives framework to youth empowerment. The youth plan which was developed under the consultancy of Mr. Wilson Nindo will be a guide to service provision in collaboration with development partners.
On his part, the Ag County Director Youth Affairs, Mr. George Orude said they would form a County Technical Working Committee to oversee the implementation framework of the plan, policy and legislation gaps in order to fast track its adoption by the Assembly, coordination mechanism through which the youths can choose their leaders from County to grass root levels and conduct awareness of the existing plan to all youths across the County.
Mr. Timothy Kajwang’ who is in charge of national youth affairs Kisumu County branch, called on the youths to remain committed to the plan and heed to instructions given by their leaders for personal development.
The Nyakach North MCA, Hon Rashid Miruka who is also in charge of the Youth affairs in the County Assembly, said they had initiated a caucus that ensures Youth affairs are considered during budgetary allocations, this will ensure the youths get a substantive amount in relation to the number of youths per ward.
The CEC Member for Education, IT and Human Capacity Development, Dr John Obiero Ogone while officiating the validation meeting said, “In the spirit of the constitution, we are committed to cascading the structures of Youth governance all the way to the village level”.
He also promised to hold more civic education forums for the youths and encouraged them to actively participate in Public participation so that they have a clue of activities and programs taking place in the County.
The Stakeholders who attended comprised of County Chief Officers, County Directors, representatives from partners, youths across the County among other guests.
The Stakeholders who attended the Youth Development Plan validation meeting at the St. John’s Manor Hotel- Millimani
Over 2000 rice farmers from Alung’o and Asunda schemes are set to access adequate water supply from river Abwao intake after the completion of the lining of the supply canal, this financial year, in a bid to boost food security in the County.
Currently, the farmers hardly receive water for irrigation since those who donated land for the construction of the supply canals have since blocked the water ways stating that the current status of the canal causes flooding in their shambas causing loose soils to be washed away hence affecting their crops.
It is in the light of this that the CEC Member, for Agriculture, irrigation Livestock and Fisheries, Mr Gilchrist Okuom and the area MCA, Hon. Vitalis Otura toured the region to affirm the plan to have the project fully completed before the next planting season.
The area MCA however requested those who donated land where the canals were constructed, to take into consideration the plight of other farmers by allowing them to access the supply in the meantime as plans are underway to have the project completed soon. He also confirmed that the allocation for the completion of the weir was factored in the 2019/2020 budget
The Muhoroni sub county agricultural officer, Mr Athur Hongo who addressed the farmers said that after mapping of the schemes, about 480 farmers from Alung’o scheme will get farm inputs such as rice seeds that will cover 125 acres and also 100 of them will receive top dressing fertilizers. This will boost rice farming in the region.
While addressing the farmers, the CEC Member, Mr Okuom stated that rice is one of the flagship projects on matters food security and economic empowerment. He added that he was concerned about the challenges of water supply that has hindered expansion of rice fields, high cost of production due to pumping using electricity, recycling of seeds and lack of adequate farm inputs and promised his support on the same.
He urged the farmers to adopt new methods of farming that will increase the yields and advised them to diversify crops such as soya beans, cotton and yams since ombeyi has the biggest potential for yams production. He also discouraged them from planting at different times and urged to build strong cooperatives that will help them control market prices.
In regards to those who had their crops destroyed during construction, the Minister said they will discuss and agree on Tuesday on the best modalities of compensation.
Also in attendance were Eng. Nyamori from irrigation, and the ward agricultural Officer madam Esther Onyango among others
The CEC Member for Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock and Fisheries addressing the plight of rice farmers in Ombeyi ward
The CEC Member, Mr Okuom flanked by the area MCA Hon. Otura to river Abwao intake that serves Alung’o scheme
Mr. Ben who donated land for the construction of supply canals raising his concerns for blocking the water supply
Eng. Nyamori from directorae of Irrigation giving explanations concerning one of the division boxes in Alung’o Scheme
County directorate of Youth affairs in partnership with World Vision and Ecumenical Centre of justice and peace have organized a five day workshop in Nyakach Sub County to empower the youth on economic development.
The program focuses on sharpening the skills of the youths on resource management, online business promotion to help diversify on the available opportunities, banking institutions and devolved opportunities such as the Uwezo fund, revolving funds and networking in order to emulate best practices from successful youths.
The capacity building program is currently taking place in Siany resource center for Persons with disabilities, which is comprising of youths from Nyakach South East and South West, another venue is at Kolweny which has accommodated youths from Nyakach West and Central and a third venue at Pap Onditi which is taking care of youths from North Nyakach.
This move comes after drafting of the County Youth development Plan which is in the process of validation.
County Ag. Director Youth Affairs, Mr George Orude addressing the Youths from Nyakach sub county during their empowerment workshop at Kolweny
Youths from Siany, Nyakach sub county actively taking part in their training
Kisumu County, department of health being cognizant of the growing mental health challenges in the community, organized a one day planning meeting, focused on having a coordinated approach to mental health service provision from the County to community level.
The deliberations of the meeting held at the County health boardroom was to draw proposals that would guide in coming up with a County Mental Health Plan, outlining the necessary structures and frameworks to be used in the said service provision.
The participants of the meeting comprised of stakeholders from the County Officials, faith based and traditional healers within the County.
Mr. Jeremiah Okuto addressing stakeholders during the mental health stakeholders meeting at the county health boardroom (Picture by Jacob Owiti)
Kisumu County Director of Communication Ms Atieno Otieno addresses participants at a mental health stakeholders meeting (picture by Jacob Owiti)
The government has announced plans to join the county in eliminating substandard products in the market.
Speaking in Kisumu during the 3rd National Conference for managers of management systems, the Kenya Bureau of Standards Director, Esther Ngari was confident of the partnership yielding fruit as the agency clamped down on substandard products across the region.
In a speech read on his behalf by Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili, Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o lauded the agency for choosing Kisumu as the regional standardization capital.
The developments he said were in line with the exponential economic and industrial growth gathering steam in the county.
Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili addressing the 3rd Kenya Bureau of Standards Management Representatives Conference in Kisumu
Inmates at the Kodiaga maximum prison graduated yesterday in a ceremony presided over by Dr Kim Kisung from Korea in the company of Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili.
Speaking at the graduation Dr. Owili urged the community to embrace inmate and ex-convicts
as they too can change regardless of their situations.
“Criminal justice reform is not just about being fair to the individuals who will be most affected but it’s also about doing what’s right for our nation’s well-being. The reforms must therefore be cognizant of the overall impact this process has on our societies.” Dr. Owili added.
The inmates were awarded certificates of completion towards their training on mind education facilitated by International Youth Fellowship in collaboration with Kodiaga maximum prison.
Deputy Governor, Dr. Mathew Owili celebrating with the inmate graduands and prison officer on their graduation day at Kodiaga Maximum prison
Dr Kim Kisung from Korea addressing inmates during the graduation ceremony held for Kodiaga inmates
Wednesday, 21st August 2019 KCA University Wester Campus launched the MSC Commerce Program, in the presence of County Minister Dr. Obiero Ogone who represented Kisumu County Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o in the celebrations.
In his speech Governor Nyong’o applauded the University stating that it is a step in the right direction.
“commerce is a great driver of our economy and there is no better way to achieve this if not by instilling the right knowledge and skills in our students by offering them the relevant courses that adequately prepare them for the fast advancing technological and competitive economic environment.” Said the Governor.
According to the Governor, Kisumu County being the gateway to the Lake and Eastern African region opens up a huge market for goods and services and thus offers limitless opportunities for entrepreneurs and industrialists. Thus, the need to developed a workforce armed with the right knowledge and skills to offer the requisite human resource that the industry desperately needs.
The new Program launch took place the Aga-khan hall in Kisumu and was also graced by Deputy Governor Vihiga, H.E Dr Patrick Saisi, and Kisumu Central MP Fred Ouda.
The new Masters degree programme will allow graduate students in the region enrolled at KCA University to obtain an MSC degree from the University.
KCA University Western Campus VC Prof Noah Midamba (left), Deputy Governor Vihiga, H.E Dr Patrick Saisi,Kisumu County Education CEC Member Dr John Obiero Ogone and Kisumu Central MP Fred Ouda cut a cake during the launch of Masters Degree Programmes of MSC Commerce, MBA in Corporate Management and MBA -HR, Procurement and Marketting at the Aga-Khan Hall in Kisumu.
